Ever Feel Like Getting Up On a Soap Box?

Once in a while I do. 

Feel like it, that is. 

I hardly ever give in to the urge, but it's there. 

There have been times I've wanted to just cut loose and give someone what for in no uncertain terms, but generally I don't do it. 

Getting into trouble over it is the least of the considerations.  I've gotten into trouble more than once and it hasn't phased me in the least. 

No, it's more that when I'm seeing red I tend to first back off as best I can, difficult as that may be when all I really want to do is retaliate. 

Unless it so happens that the person has been deliberately and maliciously trying to harm me or mine, and unless that is obvious to me, in which case all bets are off, I'll do my best to walk away - for the moment. 

Most often this is interpreted as me backing down; they'll think they've intimidated me or scared me.

Not so, my friend.

I flat out do not scare easy and any more I can't find anybody who can intimidate me. 

The biggest reason for walking away (besides giving me time to cool off some) is the recognition of and respect for the FACT that the other person no doubt has his/her own reasons for doing or saying whatever it was that triggered my reaction.  Chances are that it's something going on inside of them that has nothing whatsoever to do with me in particular.

Better by far to step back and get a deeper reading of the whole thing. 

Most of the time I'll find a safe place to blow off a little steam of my own, and then I'm either amused by the whole thing or else I end up feeling so sorry for the other person that I don't have the heart to take them to task over whatever it might have been. 

And so the moment passes and my soap box remains unoccupied. 

Still ... sometimes I really REALLY DO want to step right on up there and pontificate about a thing or two or three. 

One of these days I'll maybe cut loose in writing (which is a better idea anyway, being as I can do it in the privacy of my own home and my 'audience' can just close the tab if they want!) just to see what it feels like. 

heh heh

Now THAT sounds like it might be kind of fun! 

After all the tirades I've listened to over the years I sure as hell ought to know how it's done.