Saturday, December 27, 2008

The week of remembrance and reflection.
Post holiday quietude is one of my favorite experiences.
Unlike the birds I saw outside today, hanging onto the telephone wires for dear life with beaks heading into blasting gusts of winds, I identify with this cheery, fat little bird... doing her (his?) best to spread joy and beauty.
Of course, actual birds do this rather indelicately. Eating seeds and then, um, "redistributing" them without even checking to see what drops where or what sprouts. Let alone whether their gifts are appreciated.
Over the years, I've written more than 1000 posts, and probably commented on just as many.
On Christmas Day, I got a note indicating that a recent comment was patronizing, mis-informed, wrong-headed and just annoying-- asking that I not leave any more comments there. And wishing I wouldn't even read that blog any more.
I re-read my comment. From a certain vantage point (theirs, not mine) I can see how they experienced so much negativity.
But just as we complain when bird droppings hit too close to home, that's what birds DO.
What I do is encourage choosing optimism (even when times are dark), act all motherly (even when somebody isn't my kid), share what's worked for me (even though it may come across as unsolicited advice) and try to lighten things up (even if I don't know what sort of sense of humor that person has... if any).
It's sad for me when anybody doesn't like who or how I am.
But (finally), I've learned that not everybody likes birds. Some people are phobic. And then there are people who like birds the way cats do.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow. I'm thinking you inadvertantly hit a nerve for that particular blogger. I CERTAINLY hope you continue to encourage optimism, act motherly, share what has worked for you and use that fabulous sense of humor. Those are only some of the things I love most about you, my dear friend :)

Lisa Rivas said...

You can visit me any time!

Having a blog implies having the risk of the visiting bird leave a dropping at times.
Obviously they didn't check your blog enough :-)

Have a great day and Happy New Year also!

Lori Witzel said...

"On Christmas Day, I got a note indicating that a recent comment was patronizing, mis-informed, wrong-headed and just annoying-- asking that I not leave any more comments there. And wishing I wouldn't even read that blog any more."

Must. Fight. Urge. To. Smack. Them.

:-)

Well, while I work on containing my Inner Steven Segal, wanted to tell you that I hope your holidays have been more welcoming, peaceful, and loving than that commentator's visit was.

Merry merry happy happy to you and yours -- and thanks for dropping in, and being one of my invisible friends!

Dana S. Whitney said...

Thanks for your support. :-D

Holly said...

Seriously? Sounds like some one had a disappointing Christmas. Sorry that happened to you.

wenders said...

I agree with Flying Colors - a blog is PUBLIC.

Anyway, I'm reading the Witch of Portabello and the part I'm at now has one of the characters needing to teach someone she doesn't like and the student needing to have a teacher she doesn't like - it's an interesting idea. Even you don't read or post on that blog again, well, you touched that person... hopefully for the better in the longer run.