“HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE DUMB BLONDE?”  Is there a nationality, ethnic group, age group, or other category of people that you make jokes about or are fearful of or think will cheat or deceive you?  Examine your innermost thoughts and everyday behavior.  Now, write down at least 10 ways in which “those people” are similar to you.  Then, list examples of actual incidents in which one of “them” cheated, harmed, or scared you.  Remember what was done and said on both sides.  Now, stand apart from the situation and evaluate it.  Was there a misunderstanding?  Was it only a conflict between people of two distinctly different personalities?  Did either of you have preconceived attitudes that influenced the situation?  Have you ever had a similar experience with someone of a different grouping, or even your own?  Such self-examination isn’t easy or comfortable for us.  However, the reward is a rainbow of new friends to brighten our lives.