When I was young, I was pretty sure I was right about darn near everything. I  was so obnoxious that I still wonder how my friends put up with me. I thought that I was some kind of know-it-all, and I spent way too much time correcting everyone. If I found a new and shorter way of getting somewhere, I bugged everyone I knew about it and was offended when some of my friends chose not to believe me. Looking back, I was much more wrong than I was right. I was a ginormus ASS.

These days when I remember my snottiness and “I’m always right” attitude, it’s a wonder that I still have friends. For some reason, I just had to be right. Looking back on those times I still shudder at my ignorance and pushiness.

But as I got older I realized that I was not always right about everything and learned to listen more and talk less. Speaking as a former ass, I know how annoying it is to be “talked at” when the other person is smug and so sure that they are right about everything. There are nights when I can’t get to sleep remembering my former assness.

So, lesson learned. Here’s a good tip when you think that you might be becoming an ass, do what a very savvy aunt once told me: “to keep friends, keep your tongue planted firmly to the roof of your mouth.” Works for me!