I have been rethinking some things.  It took me a long time to decide start a blog precisely because I was acutely aware that what I have to say may not be palatable to others. When I did decide to start a blog, I resolved not to expect others to agree with what I say although I did hope that those who disagree will not be disagreeable.

I’ve lately had my share of disagreeable comments.  I say disagreeable because the comments were given in a sarcastic and derogatory tone. And the comments, though ostensibly about the contents of the blog, were aimed at my person.

I’m not thinking about quitting this blog just because nasty comments come my way. I’m used to nasty comments.  I am not that sensitive.  However, when I get comments like that, inevitably, I have to search my heart and see if the comments are valid.  I have to wonder if the comments were occasioned by how I said things or what I said.  I cannot apologize for my view of things, but perhaps if, in expressing my opinion I was crude or arrogant, then I must apologize.

E.M. Forster, in his novel A Room With A View, said: ” We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things, because the shadow always follows.  Choose a place where you won’t do harm –yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm, and stand in it for all your worth, facing the sunshine.”

Soul searching is time-consuming and emotionally tiring. I have too many things to do and I cannot always indulge in soul-searching every time I get a nasty comment.  But I cannot ignore the nasty comments altogether. The nasty comment may have a point. This is what I have been rethinking.  I have been wracking my brains trying to find a reasonable middle ground.

I have decided then that if the comment I receive is sarcastic in tone and derogatory of my person, I just won’t publish it, I will trash it.  We can always disagree on things, we just aren’t permitted to be disagreeable or disrespectful. If you don’t like what I say or the way I say it, you know what you can do, don’t you?  Get your own blog.  Stand on your own soapbox, put it on another corner of the worldwide web, stand on it and preach!