Article May 26, 1997 Issue

Who—me, cynical?

Warren Bolon

A FRIEND came to mind recently in a sobering way. I realized that in all the time I've known him, I've never heard him make a single cynical or sarcastic remark about anything or anyone. It was a sobering thought because of the contrast with my own verbal ways. Who, I suppose I reasoned, isn't cynical about something—about liberal or conservative ideologues, politics in general, corporate greed, environmental extremism, or some other part of life?

But here was this friend's example. Never trash-talks opponents, even when it seems justifiable. A lively wit but never used to cut others. A true gentility and civility. Then it dawned on me. This friend is always busy looking for ways to love and to comfort those who are hurting. He's too busy seeking out and relishing the actual spiritual nature of people and things to engage in tearing them down.

As I examined my own thinking and actions, I realized that I care about our physical environment and do whatever I can to avoid polluting it with toxic wastes. Am I as vigilant and caring about my mental output, right down to the unguarded casual—and sometimes caustic—comment? Am I contributing to a societal acid rain of distrust, criticism, and anger? Or am I helping to neutralize these destructive agents with the power of meekness and a discerning love? In other words, with the qualities of Christ.