Well, there isn’t a discouraging word around my place right now, because it seems winter has finally loosened it’s icy grip on our range! Well it did snow again last night, but it’ll go fast in the warm sunshine. It looks like there is a different kind of snow – mom is brushing out the old horses who are shedding everywhere.
And there are signs of Spring all around. 
If you need a discouraging word, however, you can sure find them just about everywhere else. There seems to be a whole lot of recreational rudeness; brutish words taken to the level of an Olympic sport – and for what? I hear it on TV, I see it on social media, even just conversation about town.
Now we don’t watch much TV here and sure never watch those ridiculous phony “reality” shows, where the purpose seems to be cussing and ranting for the camera, like the worst low-budget soap opera ever made. But even supposed professionals – newsmen, politicians, doctors and teachers – seem unable to speak without snarkiness and cussing.
Lying, name-calling, whining and complaining – this old dog would get her fangs washed with soap if I talked like that! 
Of course, I would not, because as a Heeler I am too intelligent to resort to such language, and I have sufficient vocabulary to express my thoughts and wishes with decent yet colorful words. Civility and manners are a measure of intelligence after all.
It is sad that people enjoy being mean. There is enough sorrow and struggle in the world without making things worse. The air itself is too pure and precious to be polluted with surly words. Why think it necessary to share all your own bitterness verbally? Mama always said, “if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” Good advice.
It is bad enough that words are now popularly distorted and given new pronunciations. Why did tour [too-er] become “tore” ?? Language is fluid, but it doesn’t need to be a muddy torrent of stupidity!
Maybe people need to be heard, but don’t have anything worth saying, so just spew bad words for attention. It seems a lot are just looking for a chance to comment, and strike out when someone is merely showing off their handsome dog or asking a question.
Nobody needs the venomous attack; everyone needs grace and mercy. 
I’ve noticed something about those bitter words – no one can ever take them back. The world is getting meaner and nastier, when it should be everyone searching for ways to practice – and speak – radical kindness instead.
What is Radical Kindness? It is being kind to those that are hard to be nice to, those that don’t deserve it – they need it most. It may be sacrificial – going out of your way for others. It is a habit of constantly looking for ways – even small, invisible ways – to ease someone else’s load.
There are those not worthy of kind returns, but we must practice supreme decency anyway.
Read all about this Heelers edgy thoughts on radical kindness here:
https://cowdogsadvice.com/2021/11/radical-kindness/
I practice it many ways. Hard as it is, I never bark at Mopsy, and I let her sleep on my bed, almost every evening.
I smile and bark at my family, as they try to figure out what I want. I bounce and play and let my people know I am glad to see them, even if I’ve just been outside 10 minutes.
Now, more than ever, most could use constant kindness. What if we all just practiced every little thing to show mercy to others? What if our words were merciful, instead of pouncing with critical ones?
What if Heeler joy, love, loyalty and kindness were the way of the world?
“A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”
Proverbs 18:4
