I got an email from a former associate last night. I’ll admit I panicked. Truth be told, I loathe confrontation.  I would rather avoid a person I dislike rather than argue.  We can retreat to our own corners of the universe and not perpetuate the cycle of negativity.  So I saw this person’s name appear in my inbox and I felt flustered.  After consulting my boyfriend, I decided to open the message.  It turned out it wasn’t for me at all.  In fact, it was clearly meant for someone else, including names and situations of people I have never met (though I did know of one in passing.) 

I have made mistakes in choosing friends. I have befriended people who eventually brought little into my life or even caused damage.  Having learned from various experiences, I have chosen more carefully.  As I looked over this mistaken message, I realized I chose wisely to end the budding friendship. This email shared judgments and details about someone’s marriage and health problems.  The email ends with the telling line, “I got this info from a mutual friend.” While this may seem like harmless gossip, I’m sure the woman and man being discussed would be embarrassed and angry to know their troubles are being transmitted across the Internet. 

Now I am guilty of continuing that cycle of chisme, too, by writing about this bizarre incident. I intend to work on that bad habit.  And I intend to “block sender.” 

*Props to comedian Steve Harvey for his bit in _The Original Kings of Comedy_ and making this phrase one of my catchphrases.