In my prior post, I poked fun at Swedes. I thought that there would be a newspaper article (“Blogger rants against Swedish people!”). I thought a saintly contingent of woke snowflakes would demonstrate (“Outrage!”). Maybe the ASPCA would give backlash because I made fun of skunks. But not a whisper. Not a word. Silence. What’s wrong with those doing the cancelling? Do they give a wink to some speech and not others?     

Confession: I have said and done some dumb things that I’d like to call back. I would wager you have too.  But in the words of the poet Omar Khayyam:

“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”

Our futures lie to a great extent within our own hands.  The “moving finger” business is probably a good reason to think twice before we act — or speak.  We forgive those leaving prison and help to get them a new start. We forgive family members. But for some stranger’s ill-chosen words? Comments? In the words of Donnie Brasco – “fuhgeddaboutit.” I continue to scratch my head as to why.

Knowing of our own fallibility – and frailty – it may be a good reason to consider granting forgiveness to others when there is contrition and apology.  How would you like to be treated? Would you want your child cancelled and fired from her job for saying something stupid?

What’s wrong with – I forgive you.  Please don’t do it again. Let’s move on. . . . .