Sadly, "Common Courtesy" is not common practice; especially online where millions of trolls get a perverse delight in broadcasting disrespectful, hurtful and hateful messages.

When affronted by such nonsense, I shake my head and feel sorry for these poor individuals living in a miserable reality; not knowing that it's their own self-hate that spurs them on to escalating defensiveness.

I avoid encouraging them; rarely responding or jumping into the fray.

Being the son of a very wise and kind man, I was fortunate to see first-hand how others react when approached with sincerity and respect.

And through osmosis, I learned to automatically do the same.

It's a win/win.

Both you and the people you meet instantly get off on the right foot and begin building a relationship - however short that relationship may be - on a solid foundation of ever-increasing trust.

Here's my favorite quote from Maya Angelou.

It's a beautiful and elegant anecdote that captures the essence of what I've so clumsily been trying to express.

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Submitted for you to ponder in a quiet place.

May you and yours be well and love life today.

In lak'ech, JaiChai

(JaiChai 17 SEP 2021. Simultaneous multi-site submissions posted. All rights reserved.)