The Wisdom of Thumper

Today I went to a salon and had some type of "beauty" treatment done. (No, it wasn't something over the top or extreme, but it was a simple thing that was a treat for myself, since I'm laid up.). I think it looked good, and was feeling quite pretty. When I scooted into my apartment, though, one of the people on our couch said "You've got to be kidding." Now, I don't look for approval in my life choices. I'm kind of like a honey badger, like that. But her words hurt my feelings. Later in the evening, I expressed how I had felt, and we had a moment. It was really quite sweet. She apologized, I forgave, we grew as friends. This experience was actually a very beneficial one for our relationship. We both realized that I had been less vocal about any personality quirks that may bother me, but very forgiving of anything that could be hurtful.

One thing that I noticed in my own personality is somewhat of the level of sarcasm that I enlist in my daily communication. Sarcasm, whilst often quite humorous, is also designed to cut someone. It may not be intended to do harm, but no tone of voice can change the words spoken. Mean words are still mean words. And I realized that I had been using them often. I may have meant them facetiously, but they still were unkind.

In order to maintain a kinder and more loving community, I have a challenge for both myself and you readers. Lets pause before we use our regular sarcastic comments. In that moment of pause, consider how our words will sound to people who do not know us. The only way sarcasm is understood completely is by those who are privy to our intimate thoughts and personalities. The lay person doesn't know us. They don't know our intentions, or sense of humor. But they do hear what we say, and if they are words that tear down, rather than build up... Well, you come to the conclusion of that.

Ghandi is credited with saying "Be the change you want to see in the world." Over and over we hear that this world is a tough place. It is. But I reject the notion that we just have to get used to it. I don't want to. I want to make my society one where people are welcome, loved, and accepted. The first step is to remember what Thumper's father taught him about words: If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.


Tonight's skies were clear, and made me think of Harvest Moon's glows. Even though the moon is in a waning gibbous, it is still bright and illuminates the misty breath of people walking by.


As always, please comment and share this post with friends. You all have great thoughts, and I would love a discussion to continue.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl