“The past is a bucket of ashes, so live not in your yesterdays, nor just for tomorrow, but in the here and now.” — Carl Sandburg
Recently, I have come to understand the polemic discourse that ensues when individuals become so empassioned, emotionally infused and self involved with their polarizing opinions, viewpoints and conditioned orientation that they obfuscate any possibility of objective conversation. This exercise becomes tedious at best, and necessitates discernment, patience and detachment from those listening to the on-going monologue of ceaseless cacophony. Voltaire said it best, “One always speaks badly when one has nothing to say.” Of course, this precipitates listening to oneself and evaluating what is shared becoming detached from the outcome.
When the ego is involved on multiply levels, it obliterates the possibility of listening to anything or anyone. Consciousness of how one is perceived by others is almost a gift, and what you have to share/contribute to any given conversation/discussion is valued when you come from a place of integrity, principle, fairness, honesty and truth. How often does the “bully pulpit” work? This manner of discourse can be discribed as mindful assault, with the intent to manifest distrust. Santyana said it so succinctly, “To be brief is almost a condition of being inspired.” I would simply add . . . it is most definitely a condition of being inspired to a gratefully receptive audience.
Taking a long, hard, unvarnished look at yourself is never easy especially when it comes to your opinions, viewpoints or learned orientation/objectives. Your experience of course is always an invaluable teacher, however, making an honest evaluation of yourself from within takes courage . . . which most individuals forego. Oh sure, you can push the inevitable away, out of sight, out of mind, and then in one moment the words of Camus become evident . . . “Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is.” Once again, you now have the time to choose . . . which may not be the case in the next moment or even tomorrow. JLR