Are you a cynic or a builder?

This seems so appropriate for this time of year:

http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/how-will-you-use-your-gifts-in-2011/

Jeff Bezos had some questions in a commencement speech given this year – they ring especially true to me:

How will you use your gifts? What choices will you make?

Will inertia be your guide, or will you follow your passions?

Will you follow dogma, or will you be original?

Will you choose a life of ease, or a life of service and adventure?

Will you wilt under criticism, or will you follow your convictions?

Will you bluff it out when you’re wrong, or will you apologize?

Will you guard your heart against rejection, or will you act when you fall in love?

Will you play it safe, or will you be a little bit swashbuckling?

When it’s tough, will you give up, or will you be relentless?

Will you be a cynic, or will you be a builder?

Will you be clever at the expense of others, or will you be kind?

I’m reminded of many things: Jessamyn West telling me to use my “blog powers for good.” A wise friend reminding me of advice I often give: “Follow your heart.”

Are you a cynic? A builder? Are you bluffing? Or are you sincere?

Thanks Buffy!