Blog 382 – 08.22.2016

Some of you who are curious enough to have taken the time to look at the ever growing body work that is my daily blog:
www.theencouragingword.co
might wonder, “Where does he come up with all that stuff or find the time to write it all down?” Well, in answer to that question I thought I’d write a blog on that subject.

The short answer is that I am a writer and writers write. But never one for short answers it will probably take more than sentence or two. That is an understandment, a joke on me. I try to write a Facebook Teaser each day about what I am posting on my blog hoping to encourage, entice, invite someone to read my blog. I aim at something short and sweet but often find my teaser ends up being longer than my blog that day.

I also try to post a birthday note on the timelines of everyone on my rapidly growing list of Facebook friends. But I was never very good at saying I love you or anything much else in twenty five words or less. Someone might jokingly say, “Do you have to write a book?” Well, no, but that is what writers do. And on your birthday of all days I want to write a little extra in case someone else forgets to or is too preoccupied to take the time for even a short birthday greeting.

Where do I come up with the ideas for blogs? The market place of ideas is full.
Sadly most us just pick one, two, or even just a few to think about all the time. One of my favorite speakers and writers, Mike Dooley says, “Thoughts become things.” if you want to have a lot of things in your life you need to think a lot of thoughts.

Sadly I think most of us become way too attached to a hand full of pet ideas or thoughts and would rather argue and try to convince others that our opinion on these issues is the absolute truth. Well there maybe a few issues that most people can agree on as being a pretty sure bet for absolute truth like the importance of treating others the way you would like to be treated and trying to leave things the way you found them if not better. Most if not all the other big issues are up for debate.

I remember taking a rhetoric class in high where we were taught how to debate. That sort of debate was different than Presidential debates. In classic debate each side takes the opposite side of an issue like in a court room and tries to convince the jury or audience with evidence and compelling arguments that their side of the issue makes the best sense. Name calling, character assassination, and mud slinging are not really a part of the classic debate. Issues are talked about, each side presents its case, opportunity is given for the other side to refute or cross examine your arguments. In the end both sides give their final remarks and the jury or audience votes on which side made the best case. And it is rarely about absolute truth just strongly held beliefs or opinions and in most cases you or I could argue either side pretty fervently.

My point is that we should look at all sides of the issues of life. We might learn something. We do not always have to agree to work together, to get along. You might just find that that obstinate or disagreeable brother or sister brings out the very best in you. And that they are in fact the ying to your yang. Some pretty hot and lasting relationships start out that way and never cool off. Just an encouraging thought for the day.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White