"Even before his conversion St. Francis was by nature courteous in manner and speech and followed a practice born of deep conviction, namely, never to speak a rude or unseemly word." --Legend of the Three Companions, I, 3My early years were spent in the South where I learned to say "mam" and sir" whenever speaking to an adult. This was all a part of the courtesy towards others that I was taught. When I moved North at age 11 my 6th grade teacher held me up to the class as an example because of this, adding that I walked up and down the stairs, instead of running. You'd think this would make me proud, but instead, being the new kid in class, it made me feel different, but not in a good way. While I soon dropped the "mam" and "sir"so that I'd fit in, I continued to be courteous and have always seen myself in that light.....until recently. It seems I can be provoked into being discourteous. I did not know this about myself until the words were out of my mouth. But it taught me a lesson. Carrying resentment towards someone is like a viper in the grass waiting to strike! The only way to be sure to never speak a rude or unseemly word is to make sure you have no reason to. Forgiveness must be given immediately, or else the "rudeness" done to you will fester in you and make you just as guilty whether you're provoked or not to "share" it.
