Word of the Month:
Courteous

May 2nd! A new month and as promised a new word of the month.As a quick review,I started the year off back in January with the word Trustworthy,followed by Loyal,Helpful and then Friendly.This month's word is Courteous.It is an adjective meaning polite, respectful, or considerate in manner.This is another biggie in how I lead my life and how I comport myself on a daily basis. It has always been of paramount importance to me.However,until a short while ago, I did not realize that part of my behavior was distracting from this part of me.There were times,and looking back over the years way too many to be acceptable, where my behavior and more specifically my words, were contradictory to my desire to act courteously.

Where did this  offending culprit living inside of me come from?

My sarcasm and wit!

I used to believe that these "attributes" were funny,charming and endearing. 

Guess what........they are not!

While I never meant for them to be,they are often hurtful cutting,biting and inappropriate.About a month ago,I caught myself once again,hurting someone when I was "kidding around". Immediately after I did it,I new I had stepped far astray from how I felt and that I had offended someone who I care for and have the utmost respect for.

Sarcasm.....

It may be one of the hardest things for me to put down. I have used it for so long that it became part of my natural banter.I would proudly boast that in a battle of wits I would almost always win since most around me were half armed!(get it .....half wits! Duh?)

See what I mean! How awful!

What I believed were cute barbs and jabs are really malicious and ugly stains that leave a trail of debris where ever and when ever they are used.

Have I stopped using them?

Unfortunately not 100%..Using them has become as natural to me as writing right handed , which in and of itself is not that pretty. You can only imagine how ugly my writing is left handed!The point is, it still feels very unnatural to me when the opportunity to rise above such boorish behavior presents itself.

In this respect,I am still a very flawed individual.I continue to work at this daily and my hope is that this word of the month will surely bring May flowers!