A lesson from the Rotary Club for XMTS

[Panache]

...Sometimes I think that if you are following the "Is it the Truth?" guideline, then the "Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?" guideline is missed.

So is it best to tell the truth or not? Should we be nice all the time? Will a true friend accept the truth?.

AKG,


I think you might be missing the point here. This test isn't designed for dealing personally (and privately) with someone close to you. It is about communicating within a community

It really isn't that hard to be polite, be nice, and tell the truth within a group.

When one writes or speaks does one have to express that truth with the exact words and emotions that immediately spring to mind?

No

Because that interior part of us isn't very polite. It isn't interested in other's feelings. It is all about us.

Freud called it the Id.

We need to examine those feelings and thoughts and see if we can form our words to communicate an opinion with others feelings and thoughts in mind. It requires looking at the other person's perspective.

Most times it means showing restraint.

Sometimes it even means not sharing one's opinion because you realizes it isn't beneficial, it isn't constructive, and it lacks goodwill for the group.

But if what you want to say isn't isn't beneficial, it isn't constructive, and it lacks goodwill for the group why would you bother to say it anyway?

Not one of us can say they are perfect. We all have our biases, our prejudices, our anger, greed, vanity, hurt, fear, all those less pleasant things that make us human.

While all these are part of us, we are certainly a lot more than them.

When one speaks or writes, shouldn't it come from our better natures?

So within a community like XMTS if what you are trying to share doesn't past this test, is it really something the community needs?

I think the Rotarians are on to something...


...and so are the Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot

Cheers

Jamie