This is what I look at every day. It is a review of the moats that have gone out, as well as how many people opened it, how many clicked (on what I am not sure) how many bounced, (variable) and how many people complained. Months go by with no red blotches, but this week there was one staring at me. 

The irony is, that particular story was called Assume Good Intent. Ah, I suppose this would be a good time to do just that. The catch is, I have no idea of who made the complaint, nor what their beef is. Which makes it dicey to either apologize or mend my errant ways. 

There are times when I grouse. Not in a constructive manner, you know, like in a survey I get from the post office after mailing a package that was delayed. Not in an evaluation after a course in college where the instructor actually counts on feedback. 

Just the aimless, worthless, toss my annoyance around like confetti kind. Only instead of beautifying the world it ends up as litter. 

If I were to assume good intent, maybe the person clicked somewhere without realizing it. I have done that, and accidentally put a thumbs down on a cute picture on facebook only because my finger is too wide for the icon. Or it might be that the moat upset them, and I could go back and review it with an eye for possible pitfalls. Not that I can bring that story back from 853 inboxes, but I can be more careful tomorrow. 

Perhaps the most surprising side effect of assuming good intent is that instead of defending myself or offering a rebuttal, I am open to influence.