November 2013 South Carolina Living Magazine Vol. 1 | Page 10
Dialogue
When just words won’t work …
There are many humorous anecdotes of folks mis
communicating. One of the funniest ones to come to my
attention recently is about a fellow AARP-eligible shopper.
There was a bit of confusion at the grocery store yesterday
morning. When I was ready to pay for my groceries, the cashier
said, “strip down, facing me” in a very authoritative voice.
Making a mental note to complain to my congressman
about Homeland Security running amok, I did just as she had
instructed. When the hysterical shrieking and alarms finally
subsided, I found out that she was referring to my credit card.
I got my groceries but was asked to shop elsewhere in the
future. They need to make their instructions to us seniors a
little clearer!
I laugh at that story because I have been both a
perpetrator and victim of such “shortcut” speech.
Not all miscommunication springs from “shortcut”
speech. Some appears to flow from “shortcut” thinking.
As I painfully watched our folks in Washington toss verbal
grenades over the nation’s budget crisis and debt ceiling,
it seemed as if their inside-the-beltway words were either:
1) scripted where R’s and D’s play assigned parts rather
than seeking to make a difference or govern, or 2) uttered
so that the volume of their words far exceeded the effort of
the thought that preceded them.
In this latter case, the speakers seemed to have no
mental roadmap for themselves, much less one to share
with others.
What could happen if thought preceded words generally,
but most especially in matters of significant gravity?
What might happen if we conceded that there may be
wisdom beyond the sound bite? What would happen if
we all anchored our words and actions in purposeful and
thoughtful reflection?
As we enter a holiday season centered initially on
gratitude, next on new possibilities, and finally on making
those new possibilities happen, please consider the words
of poet Max Ehrmann, written in 1927 A thoughtful friend
.
brought them to my attention recently when I was tempted
to speak before thinking.
Mike Couick President and CEO,
The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina
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SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING? | ? November/December 2013 ?|? scliving.coop
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember
what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms
with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations
to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you
may become vain and bitter; for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world
is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what
virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all
aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully
surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden
misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the
trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt
the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive
Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in
the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still
a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.