See you in the trenches. (What trenches?)
Talking to myself (but you’re welcome to join the conversation.)
It seems I’m paying an unexpected visit to Cliche City.
Oh, you haven’t heard of Cliche City and want to know its location? Easy-peasy. Cliche City is in the well-know state of Befuddlement.
When I’m in Befuddlement’s general environs, it’s usually because I’m looking for cheap guidance, whichcan be found in Cliché City. Cheap guidance is a central attraction in that little-known berg. In fact, Cliché City is my chosen reservoir for the many, many quotes I’ve stashed over the years. The lovely thing is that most of my pilfered quotes settle right in as active participants, attracting folks who are seekers while in the state of Befuddlement.
In fact, let me give you a brief tour of downright nutritive quotes. Seekers, you’re all welcome.
Here we go.
“Nobody's ever been convinced by being made to feel stupid.”
~Abe Streep, Journalist
Oh, wait, I’m guessing this particular quote needs very little interpretation. Just seems so straightforward. Agreed?
Good. Let’s move on.
Just a forewarning, the following quotation is a bit challenging for those of us who are human beings…
“Each person must live their life as a model for others.”
~ Amos Kennedy
Whoa! Did I not say that ‘ol Amos Kennedy, whoever he might be, has created an charged debate for us? The challenge of living one’s values can be a huge “ouch.” In other words, “Who the heck am I and what behavior am I trying to model for other humans? I just said what?! No, no, I really didn’t mean for those (nasty, sarcastic, judgmental) words to emerge from my mouth!”
Oh, you’ve been there, too? No longer any need for further perseveration on my part. Right?
Great! On we go.
I’m pulling a fast one, but at least I’m honest. Following is the combined oomph of, well, you’ll see….
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.”
~ Leo Tolstoy (Go, Leo, go!)
AND
“We have to do both. Before it’s too late.”
~ Sally Kohn, “A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity”
Is that not a true double whammy? I mean, changing ourselves, in addition to changing the world? A big ask. No, actually, a huge ask. Just huge.
Overload! Need to stop!
I hear you. Our abbreviated tour of Cliché City’s good citizens has come to an end. Oh, wait! One last denizen is crying out to be heard. Upbeat words on our departure?
“Just because someone exposes you to rudeness doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be uncivil to others. When you follow a rude experience with a polite one, the polite one “overwrites” the rude one, loosening the hold it has on your mind.”
~ Christine Porath, Georgetown University, School of Management
See you in the trenches of change…