Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say…
This phrase is one of the most powerful things that you can put into practice in your life.
This doesn’t mean that you run rough shod over others and treat others disrespectfully but it does mean that you say what is truly on your heart and that your actions are congruent with the words that come out of your lips.
In the US, we recently went through a highly publicized debate about raising the debt ceiling in order to keep the government spending more money then what they were taking in.
On one side, we had those who wanted cuts to the budget to compensate for the amount on the we were looking to borrow without raising taxes on the American people. And on the other side they were looking to get this new amount while keeping the programs in tact while raising “revenue” at the same time.
One side was using a poll that showed that, a better than majority of Americans would like to see a balanced approach to this subject with…
“spending cuts and increased revenues”
When you look at that and you don’t THINK about that, it looks harmless. And who wouldn’t agree with that.
But when you think about how the government receives it’s “revenues”, it only comes from one place and that is the American people through taxation. PERIOD end of story.
So in my opinion this conveniently phrased poll question, was used to snow people into agreeing with something that was meant to be said in a manner that was a little skewed.
How do you think the poll would have come to if were asked “spending cuts and increased TAXES”?
I’m guessing it wouldn’t have been the same result.
Most people wouldn’t like to see taxes increased on anyone. Even the rich.
When you “mean what you say and say what you mean” and do it respectfully without shading it to make others feel better about themselves, people know where you are coming from and will respect you for it.
But if you carefully craft your words to make it “feel good” to your audience you are speaking to in a manner that communicates one message in order for them to be influenced while meaning something completely different, it is deceitful and quite frankly EVIL.
If we are going to debate ideas, let’s get them out in the open. Let’s say what we really mean and debate the ideas on the merit of the idea NOT on some trumped picture with a completely different outcome.
For example, there are those who think that “the rich” are not paying their fair share of the taxes and some of the people that are saying this are “rich”. Warren Buffet is a prime example. He will say that but we have yet to see the canceled check of his money going to pay the taxes that he thinks he is being under taxed. If he were to do this, then he would certainly be a man of respect and he would be leading by example.
Warren, if you really feel this way, why don’t you be the the first to write the check. Show us all how it’s done. The government doesn’t have to legislate this, you can do it voluntarily today.
When you have to lower yourself to use this method of influencing others, the truth will ALWAYS reveal itself and you will be found out.
How are you doing in this area? Is this a habit that you have mastered yet?
As Always, Here’s to Your LifetoSuccess,
God Bless You,
John Clark