Friday; December 28


          How long does it take us to realize we said the wrong thing?  I think, as a younger person, I was often clueless as to how dumb I was.  As I look back on it, I realize just how thoughtless many of my comments might have been.  When I was in college I always had a quick response to people – and every so often I would get it right – but, for the most part I was often more convicted than effective.  During our early years of marriage I would say things that would make me cringe now but back then, they just made Jeane irritated.  I would like to think that I have learned to be more judicious when I speak – but, one thing I do know is that I am more aware of the impact of what I say and am more apt to realize when I say something stupid.  Now, if I can just master the ability to remain silent longer and more often I can move on to a better (and easier) life.
          It would be interesting to know what kind of communicator the great King Solomon was in his lifetime.  His Book of Proverbs is filled with great communication techniques – I just hope he was more able to practice what he preached than am I.  One of the points the wise man made is, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).  As I think back on my life I can recall a few times when I wished I could have be a little quicker and more forward in my responses; but, I can remember a lot more times when discretion and kindness would have been a better choice than the one I made.  Even today, when I know better, there are too many times I don’t do better.  Yes, I usually realize the minute I say it that I was too harsh – I just need to work on applying the filter and brake BEFORE the words come out of my mouth.
          Let’s make a concerted effort to speak with truth and gentleness.  When we do, we will have a lot fewer apologizes to make.
Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more