Tim wrote:
>Is it actually possible to be positive, kind-hearted, persuasive and
>thoughful without sounding like a new-age, tree-hugging, born-again,
>pansy-assed git? And if so, how does one go about it?
Yes, I know someone that comes off as authentically positive. I'm not sure how, but their essentially positive, tolerant, and patient attitude must have something to do with it.
On the other hand, I've experienced the opposite with others. Such as an encounter with a preacher who accosted me recently. He was under the *guise* of being gentle, kind-hearted, and persuasive, but it didn't take long for me to get a peek at the true evil that lurks underneath. After getting him riled enough by calmly disagreeing, at a certain point, excited enough and becoming red in the face, his actions gave him away and suggested that he was about to physically strike me. Until that is, he realized this, and collecting himself, returned to hiding behind the 'friendly, holy, self-righteous preacher' facade. So all the while this man is standing there with a smile on his face and shaking my hand repeatedly, he was telling me that I am inherently very "selfish" and ignorant, and everything I believe is a "crock".
I think a lot of people act this way; as though they want to help you or offer council, but really they are nothing but extremely condescending, patronizing, and insulting.
~kjs