Add a Little Honey

I have been pondering a few rather curt posts that I have recently encountered (some on WA, sorry to admit). I am not thin-skinned, having worked in some tough professional positions. Back in the day, working on the editorial staff of a small town newspaper, I had a reputation for writing some scathing opinion pieces. There was an occasional reference to my "poison pen." Use of sarcasm and cynicism is commonplace in our family (with humor, of course)--sort of like verbal sparring.

Long ago, I admired the talent of a quick comeback and ready put-down, using rhetoric with precision accuracy like a bullwhip. As I age, however, I admire more the ability to negotiate a win-win, avoiding hostilities, and leaving a trail of friends instead of enemies. Coming to realize that sarcasm often has a victim and cynicism foments misery in oneself after a while, I hope I am aging more like fine wine than sauerkraut.

A friend once told me, "Honey catches more flies than vinegar." When building a network, a community, that adage is great wisdom to follow. While it sometimes feels good to let loose that zinger that will show off your keen wit, thinking about how your target will feel may help us soften our words.

Be kind out there.