Social media operates on an algorithm. While I do not understand the intricacies, it is clear that when I respond favorably to a particular genre of article, I get more of the same. Click on furry puppies, and more follow. Affirm a political point of view and it multiplies. "Like" a story about the environmental impact of plastic and a dozen more fall into the queue. 

The sheer volume of these posts is enough to convince me that the entire world is of a similar persuasion. How could they not be? Yet it is possible, probable even, that if a friend with a different slant on life acts on another train of thought he or she is barraged with reinforcements to those ideas. Rather than exploring the potential for hearing one another we become entrenched in our narrow opinions. 

Negative thoughts follow the same algorithm. If I am irritated with someone, even someone I love, an insidious stream of complaints seem to come out of nowhere, into the platform that is my head. 

"Yeah, and he didn't put gas in the car either. Or remember to bring home the mail. Obviously he doesn't really care."

It feels as if the supply is inexhaustible. Which if I understand the tenacity of the dark side, it is.

Yesterday the tirade began, targeting someone I have had conflict with. But in my effort to pray for a different person each day, I chose her. In that moment, a brightness cleared the horizon of my thoughts. Criticism went blank in the warmth of wishing her well.