In a youth that seems so long age, would-be bullies were dispensed with a stern look and rendition of "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me" or "I'm rubber, you're glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you"

            As we got older school-yard bullies were replaced by self-absorbed narcissists, and their sycophants seeking a pat on the head (or an invitation to a party) from them. 

            To their demand for attention and a need to insure that we knew they were better than us (in their mind) on the social scale our response was "It's mind over matter – I don't mind 'cause you don't matter."

            And, everyone went on their way. 

            Today we live in a culture where way too many people are looking for any reason to be offended.  It seems the high road, or low road, to one's feeling of self-importance is how they're portrayed on social media – regardless of what their accomplishment really are.  "Who wrote what about who?" seems to be more important than what really happened and why it happened.

            Many keyboard critics forget that their posted opinions can also be viewed as a confession of their own character.

            Don't be in a hurry to let "quick-to-the-keyboard" wannabe know-it-alls mar your accomplishments.  Their words will pass, your good deeds will last. 

            If you can look in the mirror every day and are proud of the person you see and happy with the good that person did yesterday for others and the good that person will do today, that is more important than any words a hate-monger will spew.

            Be proud of your accomplishments, especially those that make someone else's life better.  Strive for more and even better goals.  Selling yourself and your accomplishments in order to draw attention to and reap praise for your deeds will cheapen them – and perhaps you.

            As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "The reward of a thing well done is having done it."

            Tributes and applause shouldn't be a reason for doing a good deed.  The fear of criticism for doing what's right shouldn't deter you from doing it.

            For a job well done, sticks and stones won't break your bones.