no offense...

Abbot Anthony taught Abbot Ammonas, saying: You must advance yet further in the fear of God. And taking him out of the cell he showed him a stone, saying: Go and insult that stone, and beat it without ceasing. When this had been done, St. Anthony asked him if the stone had answered back. No, said Ammonas. Then Abbot Anthony said, You too must reach the point where you no longer take offence at anything.

The Wisdom of the Desert

I have a very thin skin. Oh, that I could bear insults without wanting to retaliate and do great harm. The good news is that even though I want to do great harm, I don't. I consider this great success.

Truth is, sticks and stones and names (and other words) all hurt. I've learned to walk away, but not without wounds.

The good news is that since I have borne the brunt of such offenses, I know what it is like on the receiving end and am not so likely to offend. I can learn. I do learn. And when I screw up...I try to make amends. Too bad some things can never be taken back.

Too bad, indeed.