Possums, Tigers + Angels

Today’s thoughts are jumbled. There’s something I am angry about. There’s someone at my work who earned a chewing out from me. And that’s rare these days. I think this person just hit my last nerve by being singularly impolite.

I was a little on edge yesterday. I saw my possum dead on the side of the road. I know. It’s a varmint. But it has a right to live. And it brought me joy to watch it eat cat food on my back porch. So I was saddened to see it had lost the battle of Oltorf.

Then this person at work snapped at me. And you know what? I snapped back. I told them that they could NOT speak to me that way. And I meant it.

Y’all, no one has the right to speak to you in a demeaning, shaming way. No one. Not your mother, not your father, not your lover, not your best friend and certainly not some random person at work. You deserve more than that.

Of course there will always be those who feel entitled to this type of speech. They will feel that you deserve it.

You don’t. You never deserve that. EVER.

[Tweet “There are ways to communicate anger and hurt and sadness that aren’t couched in the whips of mean words.”]

That is the single most important thing I am still learning. Still.

Because you know what? I do it too. Like I’ve said, I’m no angel. You won’t hear me calling people out by name but I do express my displeasure. I normally choose to do it with trusted loved ones.

Someone said to me yesterday in a private discussion about this, “I was beginning to suspect that the people making the most noise were actually the problem.”

And isn’t that the truth. I thought that was such a very wise statement.

So while I’m certainly no angel, I am a compassionate woman who understands when others lash out in hurt and pain. I see them as wounded animals who have lost their community, their connections.

My sadness for them does not make me approach them. Just as I wouldn’t approach a tiger with an injured tail I won’t approach those people who lash out in fear and pain. I am not a trained professional and I truly believe one needs a wildlife expert while the other needs a therapy expert.

So let’s end this on some positive notes, shall we! Here’s a video about last year’s 2013 WorkBook Planner. (guaranteed to make you laugh!)

Get this year’s Workbook+Planner and get a free three card reading from me. (downloadable version only)

The very funny Tarot Lady was interviewed by Pace Smith. She mentioned me! Check out the Spiritual Entrepreneur podcast here. I had to subscribe too.

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

New Mexico Winter, Arwen Lynch, 2013.