Speak Up...Share Good Thoughts
Speak up.
When we read a good thought or someone shares good news or ideas with us, we must share those thoughts and ideas with others. This encourages others to hear and understand what we have learned and helps all of us continue to learn together. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote, "Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words." What would our world be like if more of us simply followed Goethe's recommendation?
New ideas often meet with resistance, since human beings are creatures of habit. Because of this resistance, important new ideas must be shared...sometimes repeatedly... until they become understood and accepted as a positive mechanism for change. When a new idea resonates with us, and we see it as a good thought with potential for positive change, we must share the thought with others. At first, others may resist the new idea, just because it is new. We should dare to persist in sharing our thoughts with others until they understand the truth we see. "Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare."-- Voltaire
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
As we share thoughts and ideas, we must also be open to listening carefully to others. We must seek to understand their perspectives and gain their insights. Each of us hold important perspectives, another piece of the truth. So, dare to speak-up and speak out, but also dare to listen... carefully and intently. As Winston Churchill noted, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
We should remember that speaking-up is just the first step in communicating good thoughts and ideas to others. Listening, and responding thoughtfully to others is critical to the successful communication of ideas. Our ideas must then be followed by actions-- consistent with those ideas-- because actions speak louder than any words we could use. So... speak-up, share good thoughts, listen intently to others and take action! Remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt, who said... "Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind."
Dr. Rick McMichael
New ideas often meet with resistance, since human beings are creatures of habit. Because of this resistance, important new ideas must be shared...sometimes repeatedly... until they become understood and accepted as a positive mechanism for change. When a new idea resonates with us, and we see it as a good thought with potential for positive change, we must share the thought with others. At first, others may resist the new idea, just because it is new. We should dare to persist in sharing our thoughts with others until they understand the truth we see. "Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare."-- Voltaire
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
As we share thoughts and ideas, we must also be open to listening carefully to others. We must seek to understand their perspectives and gain their insights. Each of us hold important perspectives, another piece of the truth. So, dare to speak-up and speak out, but also dare to listen... carefully and intently. As Winston Churchill noted, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
We should remember that speaking-up is just the first step in communicating good thoughts and ideas to others. Listening, and responding thoughtfully to others is critical to the successful communication of ideas. Our ideas must then be followed by actions-- consistent with those ideas-- because actions speak louder than any words we could use. So... speak-up, share good thoughts, listen intently to others and take action! Remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt, who said... "Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind."
Dr. Rick McMichael
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