Growing up in New York, I was often treated to the journalistic flair of Jimmy Breslin (who is still writing). One of his memorable quotes is, "Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns for newspapers." At year's end, Breslin would publish a list of 100 people he wouldn't be speaking with the following year. These columns were funny, poignant, harsh and often sad. It seems to me, no matter the offense, that not speaking to anyone important enough to make such a list for a full year, is self-defeating. We humans grow through interaction. But how many of us unconsciously cut off people in our lives who have offended us in one way or another. How long will we keep them in their silent exile?

Keep talking. Keep listening. Keep up the contact, particularly to those whose ideas or actions make you feel uncomfortable. Understanding our fellow man has never been more important.