What's Civility Got To Do With It?

• "Be nice". 
• "Mind your manners".
• "Excuse yourself".
• "Always say please and thank you".
• "Apologize".
• "Honesty is the best policy".
• "Smile".
• "Let kindness be your guide".
• "Don't judge a book by it's cover"
• "Respect one another"
• 'Beauty is only skin deep". 
• "Work out your differences".

These are just a few of the lessons in civility that my Mom drilled into me throughout my childhood. 

As a young adult it surprised and occasionally would hurt my feelings when I learned that others would mistake my 'niceness' for phoniness and/or stupidity. I got over it.

Then I heard my own thoughts echoed through (of all people) George W's 2001 First Inaugural Address...

"Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to shared accomplishment."

Love that. Civility. A determined choice.

Writing this post about civility, my conscience tells me that it's time to come clean.

Let the truth be known that I have an evil twin, an alter-ego who I refer to as "Joanne". She has been known to be a little impatient at times and occasionally will speak with a sharp tongue. The good news is that she responds well to chocolate or a cocktail. Either will work. Fortunately, she bares her fangs only very rarely.

"Joan", on the other hand prefers being nice. It just feels better.

Thanks Mom.