There is directness, and then there is saying something inappropriate.
I've done it, and no doubt will do it again.
Who among us possesses the gift of perfect thought at all times?
I'm still learning to temper my remarks with compassion even in cases where I feel none is deserved. That's a skill that's acquired only when we face the concept the big picture, and our true place within it, I think.
Equus brings up something big:
First of all I want to seperate the person from behaviour .
Essential, if we're to make sense of eachother, and avoid resentments as best we can.
Not an easy thing to do, most days.
When I put my foot in my mouth, there's only one thing to do.
I say I'm sorry.
Now, the distinction between having an opinion and saying something inappropriate is the dark zone where most of these situations arise, I believe.
A fine line, where we better make sure our pencil ends are sharp enough to trace along it. Ever mindful of the collective.
A noble aspiration, one to which I fall short more often than I like to admit.
The tenth step offers me hope.