I am tired of hearing “don’t take it personally!”  It’s a load of crap!  When you say and do things to others, it does affect someone.  In this digital age of texts, IMs, faceless posts on social-networking sites, etc. we seem to have forgotten that fact.  It amazes me that the phrases “don’t take it personally,” “it’s nothing personal,” or “it’s not you, it’s me,” are somehow all encompassing magic words that beg and expect forgiveness for behavior.  Somehow those words make it okay, and the offended should shut up and move on, because it’s been made okay, it’s nothing personal after all.   Yes, I am a sensitive person, so sue me, but I take it to heart when someone is negative or hurtful towards me.  I regret it when I have hurt someone, I agonize over it.  It appears I am the exception and not the rule.  I think it needs to be remembered that the pen is mightier than the sword; it seems that the thumb, fingers, and tongue are also mightier than any sword as well.  Kids and bullying is getting national attention, the underlying message is that the way someone is treated can have a profound influence on them.  We strive to right these grandiose injustices of this world, the inequalities, and yet don’t seem to think about basic human decency or tact in our interactions at the core of morality and just treating people decently.  Treat others how you want to be treated, easy enough, golden rule and all, but seems it is lacking these days.

K