Blog 561 – 03.2.2017

Thoughtful Words

As I hope that I am just one of “the encouraging word guys” I try to be very thoughtful about my words and avoid “hate speech”, judging others, and trying to come across as a “know it all.” I endeavor to hold my opinions lightly so I can change them easier if I see evidence that I need to do that. I think changing our mind is not only a woman’s prerogative but needful often for the rest of us. My biggest problem with all creeds is that they leave so little room for free thinking. The truth in my estimation was never meant to be memorized but sought daily.

Thoughtful words have power to promote understanding. It is difficult and unlikely that two people will ever agree on everything but it is possible for two people who disagree on a lot of even big things to still be friends. Some of the really close and great relationships are built on thoughtful words, words that respect the other person’s right to see it differently. One of the most powerful ways to build bridges between even vastly differing camps is to focus on the things that we agree on. Despite our political disagreements, our religious disagreements, our cultural or whatever other disagreements, we all want our children to be safe, get a good education, and have a good life. President John F. Kennedy believe those points of agreement were enough to build on. We are never going to make everyone think like us, live like us, and worship or not worship like us, etc. Why would we even want to? The fervor with which we try to force our opinions and beliefs upon others speaks to a certain insecurity or doubt we might have with those strongly held thoughts, beliefs, and positions.

Thoughtful words can only be delivered after questioning. We should be continually questioning. When others question our beliefs why should we see that as a threat? We should consider it a service to us to help us keep thinking through the things we are most sure of. It is after all quite possible to be certain of something and find out that we had it all wrong. You hear often of people convicted on the evidence, and eyewitness testimony of a crime and serving years of a prison sentence only to be exonerated and freed when new evidence comes to light that proves the jury and or the judge got it wrong.

A friend of mine said that she did not believe that she had free speech because when she expressed her Christian views on Social Media many people ganged up against her. Free speech does not mean that other people have to agree with you. It only means that you have the right to think what you like and speak your mind. I often venture to disagree with what someone else thinks and not because I think I will convince them that my opinion is the “truth” of the matter but just to remind them that there are other perhaps valid opinions out there.

I try to keep these blogs entertaining, thoughtful, and uplifting. I do not always hit the mark even in my own estimation but feel even the effort is making me a better writer, a better person, a better friend. One of the greatest gifts we have to give is a few thoughtful words.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White