A Wise Old Owl
A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we be like that wise old bird?
Unfortunately it takes a whole lifetime to become as wise as the owl. By that time a lot of harm can be done. In my family we always called the malady the foot in our mouth syndrom. You know. The one where you say things that you have said all your life without hurting someone's feelings and then you let the words out at the wrong time only to be rebuked or scolded. I have had this happen
I am a small town woman born and bred. There is no getting away from the fact that I was raised in a tough all be it diverse atmosphere. I honestly did not know anything about ethnic groups or cultures. My neighbors and friends were not of Swedish/German descent like me. So then I suppose that made my family the minority in town.
The worst cultural slur I ever heard was that a certain nationality hung their wash clothes by the corners instead of square like they were suppose to be. Honestly. In that world lazy was lazy, dirty was dirty and smart was smart.
So as an adult I will say things not realizing that what I am saying might offend anyone. But let it be known I don't make the same mistake twice. Sadly, I can never put the words back! Once they are out there they float around in the air and inside peoples heads doing damage long after my mouth is closed!
Am I becoming wise in my old age? Have I found a way to sort the things out that are not correct given the company I am in? Probably not! But it remains alway true that my heart is sad if I hurt anyone's feeling! Like the wise old owl I am learning to listen more and talk less!
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. There are also a number of books available that might help: 
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