I agree with this to a point.....if it is for my physical safety or the safety of my community at large or the environment, 'hey, don't put oil down that drain it kills the fish', that sort of thing, then yes, we build a larger community that is worldwide....anyone who knows me that is part of the large goal of my life. When I talk of close friends, I don't just mean my inner circle, which might total 10 people....I talk of the 30 or more who know me and know me well enough to be able to do so....it is when you get to people who reach beyond that that things need to be handled a little more with tact.

And maybe that's it. Tact and tone of voice. An individual might have a heart of gold but a response that is uncaring in how it cuts just so it can be honest.....there's too much of that in this world....my vision of building that village that extends to world community....is done with gentleness and care and only escalates as necessary.

I don't walk up to my nine year old and slap her hand if she's doing something I think is unsafe/unhealthy for her (unless it is the only way to avoid imminent disaster), I talk gently, I set guidelines, I discuss, and we move forward. My kids may not be everyone's version of the perfectly well behaved kids but they are responsive to the relationship we have and respectful of the times I call them on their shit.

I don't intend on treating people in my world as if they are my children but if we all found ways to be gentler in our approach perhaps our world would be a bit gentler as well.

My perception and experience of course.