Why can't we all be like Anne of Avonlea?

I've always aspired to read all the Classics, but I have to admit, other than The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the ones I was forced to read in school I've not made a very big dent in them.

But I've found this website called Page by Page Books! You can actually read many of the Classics page by page from anywhere you can login. I've been reading them from my cell phone.

Of course, the first one I chose to read isn't even one of the Classics. I read Anne of Green Gables. The actual Classic is The House of the Seven Gables...oops! But that's ok cause Anne of Green Gables was really a nice little story. So nice in fact I decided to read Anne 2, the Sequel or more commonly known as Anne of Avonlea.

What I like about Anne is that she has a unique way of looking at things and explaining them to others. For instance today I read a chapter where Anne is speaking to a neighbor that's a bit of a curmudgeon. He's the type of person that believes in "telling the truth to everybody" at the expense of their feelings.

Anne brings up a beautiful point when he tells her that He will try not to mention again to her that she has red hair because she's so sensitive. He tells her she must excuse him, he's got a habit of being outspoken and folks musn't mind it.

I don't know how many times I've used that line myself. "That's just the way I am, I don't mean any harm, I'm just honest". But then Anne says to the curmudgeon, "But they can't help minding it. And I don't think it's any help that it's your habit. What would you think of a person who went about sticking pins and needles into people and saying, `Excuse me, you mustn't mind it. . .it's just a habit I've got.' You'd think he was crazy, wouldn't you?"

And CLICK!
The light bulb went on in my head! Being honest and saying what's on my mind whether it's to make a point, or a joke and then saying, "Don't mind me. That's just the way I am, that's my personality, I'm just sarcastic like that"; is just like Anne says, like running around sticking a pin or needle into someone and then telling them not to take it personally...that's just the way I am. Regardless of whether it's words or a needle, it hurts the person it's aimed at.


No one has ever phrased it like that to me. Only Anne was able to put it into words that even I could understand...and I like to think I'm pretty good with words!

I can tell you...I'm going to think twice before speaking my mind from now on!