Words

The words are everywhere. We've heard them before and will hear them again. I have learned that the easy thing for many to do is say something. However to actually express it from deep within you and truly mean it, stand by it, without the slightest hint of reservation ... well, that's a whole different thing. Honestly, how can you say one thing one day, and be different about it the next? I don't get that, likely never will.

People use words to sway and to convince, even when they don't believe it themselves. As long as it matches their agenda, why does it matter that it was "created" as propaganda. I thought "though shalt not lie" is supposed to matter, but apparently it's certainly okay for some lies to be told. Politicians do it all the time, as they pander to their constituents with their focus group tested sound bites that elicit that proper reaction. Others do clever snip-snip-snip to video and conversations, changing the meaning entirely from the original content. As long as it delivers "my" message, it's okay. Then they brush off their lie with the tried and true "I misspoke," even though they knew exactly what they said.

In my position, that place I am in right now, I hear so much, have heard so much. Everyone has advice to offer. Don't do this. You shouldn't do that. You should do this. There's a lot of it that I appreciate and respect. It comes from the heart from people who care. Some of it I dismiss because they really have no idea. Still, I listen courteously and try to get out of it what I can. I have my share of people who tell me what they think I want to hear, yet they are clueless as even I don't know what I want to hear. Part of this is because they are so wrapped up in themselves, they likely wouldn't understand what anyone really wants to hear.

Communication. It's not that hard. Yet I will confess to being timid with it, sometimes not really saying what I want to say, what I really feel. I guess I feel it's better left unsaid. This is across the board in all areas, personal and business. Trust me, there are people who I'd love to ask why they have voice messages that say "I'll call you right back." even though they never do. They get you to agree to a time and date, yet they see no need to meet that agreement themselves. Words without meaning, seem far too common.

We have all this technology that should make communication easier, yet few use it to listen. It has all become about "my" message, "my" words. There is far too much talk in our world these days. Everyone is trying to tell you what to do and what to think. There are so many "How To" experts, eager to share their mind with those unwilling to think on their own. The funny part of that, though not really funny, is they are not in your shoes and never have been. So how can they really know to offer advice to you? Advice is so easy to dispense when you aren't needing it. Understand, I'm no expert and I seek out advice every day. I engage in conversation with some very smart people and they are generous in sharing. Some of them do understand and their words aren't about advice, but about discussing the moment. They have good questions and good answers to my questions. Still, the din of it all can be quite deafening.

I have some simple rules:

• Don't tell me what you're going to do. Tell me what you've accomplished.
• Say what you're going to do, then do what you said.
• Never make a promise you can't keep.
• Always speak the truth. It will hurt less in the long run.

Sometimes I feel like running away from it all, all those words without conviction. That idea is what motivated the drawing above. You can't really. As always, you can run, but you can't hide. They are everywhere. I guess I want to actually run to the real words, the truth. Open my mind to them and let them rush into me in a hurricane of ideas. It has become a struggle to keep the faith. I wonder if I can believe certain things ever again. I worry that I have become so cynical to it all that if I do hear them I won't know what to do, how to react.

Then I get a phone call I never expected, and a voice that can carry you away is there. Not much is said, but much is said in a conversation that you don't want to end. I leave unspoken words in the air as I say "Thanks for calling. It's so good to hear your voice." What kind of communicator am I now? Can I step outside of my box again? I'm not sure. Right now I have to find the words in the words.