Friday; February 24

Which authors do you read? What newspapers subscriptions do you have? From which network do you get your news? Which commentators do you rely on? I realize there are a lot of questions all stacked on top of each other, but I can probably answer them from almost all of us – we tend to navigate to the ones we like. We read and listen to the people we like, those who tend to think the way we think. More often than not, we aren’t as interested in learning something new as we are having the information we believe reinforced. Now, I know there are some people who are insightful and enjoy hearing from all different angles – but, honestly, I am not as open-minded as them. There is nothing wrong with liking what we like, but if that is what we choose, we need to remember there are just as many people on the other side as what we have on our side doing the same things as we are doing. For all the conservatism that I am getting, they are probably being exposed to a more liberal thought-process. When I support my liberal thoughts with my favorite pundits and commentators, I need to keep in mind that they are being fed by those who beliefs are in conflict with mine.

My point to all of this is for us to be honest – not just in our beliefs but in understanding where they come from. While truth is truth, opinions are often more prevalent in our lives. When we understand the basis for our opinions – and give others the freedom to feel that way in theirs – maybe, just maybe, we can sit down and have a civil conversation that can help us find truth and wisdom.

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