Googling
We got a letter from an old friend today mentioning that we probably knew about his recent difficulties from Googling him. We were struck by the vast number of character defects we still possess, but, mercifully Googling people is not among them.
We used to gossip, but thought of it as more innocent than that. Like we were helping people who weren't in the room. Bullshit: We gossiped. Just because we thought we cared for the person being discussed didn't lessen the nature of what we were doing.
On the other hand, we began to eschew news to the point where we didn't know when folks we cared about passed on. What's a happy compromise? Would what we're saying, doing feel bad if it was directed toward us?
Let's just say things got reeeaaally quiet around here until we learned the ropes. Even now, we see knots in a few...
Sometimes we're astounded at the things asked of us here. As Granddaddy used to say, 'They don't know any better - but you do."
It's easier being outraged on another's behalf. When it's close to home, it just servers as a reminder that we've yet to really fathom one truth: It's never personal. Especially when it seems most so. It's always about that person and where they are in this life. And, as another wise person said, "Being mad at someone means you're letting them rent your brain for free."
Still. We loved those of you who know these things and don't harangue, diminish and, yes, who don't ask personal questions that aren't anyone's business.
You teach us more than you know. Thank you.
We used to gossip, but thought of it as more innocent than that. Like we were helping people who weren't in the room. Bullshit: We gossiped. Just because we thought we cared for the person being discussed didn't lessen the nature of what we were doing.
On the other hand, we began to eschew news to the point where we didn't know when folks we cared about passed on. What's a happy compromise? Would what we're saying, doing feel bad if it was directed toward us?
Let's just say things got reeeaaally quiet around here until we learned the ropes. Even now, we see knots in a few...
Sometimes we're astounded at the things asked of us here. As Granddaddy used to say, 'They don't know any better - but you do."
It's easier being outraged on another's behalf. When it's close to home, it just servers as a reminder that we've yet to really fathom one truth: It's never personal. Especially when it seems most so. It's always about that person and where they are in this life. And, as another wise person said, "Being mad at someone means you're letting them rent your brain for free."
Still. We loved those of you who know these things and don't harangue, diminish and, yes, who don't ask personal questions that aren't anyone's business.
You teach us more than you know. Thank you.
posted by Dustin at
7:24 PM 
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