I was listening to this report on NPR a few days ago. Musician Laura Rosser has a rare neurological condition called synesthesia. Stimulation of one sense produces the sensation of another. When she plays, she sees the notes as colors.

This fascinates me. I talked to a friend who has this same gift. She sees names as colors. (I'm magenta, btw.) I asked her if there were positive and negative colors; if people can change colors. The answers, yes and yes.

I realize the fact that I'm magenta and not black with red streaks is much due to her perception and affection for me. That made me think about how I am perceived. As I mentioned, I'm not much on worrying about what others think, but maybe I should be. Not as a self-worth issue, but as an example.

Recently, a hateful remark was directed toward me publicly and I had to make a choice as to how I would respond. A young friend said to me, "You have every right to lash back and I wouldn't think less of you if you did, but I will respect you even more if you don't."

Reality check.