Is it Okay?

Most if not all of us have done it; I know I have many times. I have wanted some new inspirational music, so I head to Youtube and listen to a bunch I have saved on a playlist. Money is tight, but I want to see a movie, so I go and watch it online. I need a picture for my post, I have the perfect on Pinterest, so I use that. It works well, and it doesn’t hurt anyone one, right?
Today, God really got a hold of me. I realized that I had been doing all those things, because all my friends were, and I never stopped to really consider it. I considered it after reading an artist who talked about how many of his songs had been downloaded from YouTube but how few people were buying his songs. I was angry at the people that did that, and then I realized that I was just as bad. True, I don’t download music I haven’t paid for, but is it any better to listen to it online?
What about all those photographers I have ripped off by using their photos for my posts? Giving a link back to the pin I used doesn’t help them. I am using their work without their permission which is… *takes a deep breath* stealing. Not a fun word, but that is what it is.
What about the movies I have watched online? Yes, most of them I have watched have not been pirated movies. I normally watch things on Hulu or other reputable sites, but every once in a while I have wanted to watch something that wasn’t there.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to go through my blog and take down all pictures and links to things I don’t own. I will also be deleting a lot of my YouTube playlists. I will no longer steal things for my own benefit (and yes it is stealing) and then justify why it is okay. This may make some posts less interesting, because I don’t have a gazillion images; this might make my playlist more boring; it might mean I have to wait a few months to see some things, but I know it is the right thing to do.  Will you join me?
I have created a Facebook group to help inspire and encourage each of us not to use what we don’t own and find helpful resources.

Image above was a free image from iStock jazzed up on PicMonkey.