TUESDAY THOUGHTS: TELEVISION

 

TUESDAY THOUGHTS : COURTESY

Think it through. 

What if someone else considered doing, or did that to you? 

Would you be flattered, appreciative, grateful, happy, thankful, or impressed?

Would you not mind?

Would you have appreciated a heads-up?

Would you shrug, laugh, and agree that it was a nice gesture, or no big deal?

Would you have reservations about ever dealing with them again, establish new boundaries, or cut ties altogether?

Would you think they didn’t mean any harm? 

Would you suddenly become litigious?

Would you tell them to forget about it?

Would you consider them opportunistic or inconsiderate?

Would you question their motives?

Would you wonder what ELSE they’ve done, or said, supposedly on your behalf, that you don’t even know about—and how long they’ve been doing or saying it?

Would you have serious doubts about their true intentions?

Would you think they would, or should know better—especially if they’re in the same game?

Would you wonder how they can be so adept, professional, efficient, and by-the-book with their own stuff, but become so woefully clueless, mediocre, and careless when it comes to the affairs of others?

Would you be appalled by their presumptuous behavior? 

Would you think it was an innocent mistake?

Would you accept their apology or attempt to make right, something about which, they did not have your consent in the first place?

Would you be mad?

If you wouldn’t want it (whatever it is) to happen to you, don’t assume that others should, or will go along. Before plowing forward, because you just know they’ll cosign, hop aboard, or say “yes”, wouldn’t asking them first be the proper thing to do? In the back of your mind, do you already know they wouldn’t be okay with that which you have already obligated them? Have you left them in a position where the damage has already been done, and they have little or no choice— other than to cry foul into the abyss?

Maybe it’s not such a good idea, no matter how much you think they should applaud or appreciate it. 

Tread lightly (and legally) when it comes to other people’s livelihoods, work, time, ideas, resources, wishes, and property. Don’t assume unauthorized roles, or take liberties. Consider whether the favor you think you’re doing, the improvement you’re making, or the bone you’re throwing, isn’t really about helping, celebrating, or promoting them, but feathering your own cap. How about asking first, and acting (or not) second. It’ll forgo a profuse apology.

Just because they do THIS, doesn’t mean they’re interested in, will rubber stamp, understand, or even want THAT.

Common courtesy, respect, and good business practices, in creative circles, go a long way.

TUESDAY THOUGHTS

Discern when the decision has already been made, and the seemingly sincere, urgent request for your wise input is purely a patronizing formality—or a test. 

The decision makers are hoping to have your support, but they don’t really want nor need it. Any reservations, arguments, or concerns you put forth, will prove it. Watch those smiles leave their faces. Listen to previously clear communication be riddled with stammering. Notice how once perfect comprehension becomes confusion. Note the silence, subject switch, snarky attitude, or the abrupt end of the exchange. 

Is it input that’s being sought, or consent? Advice or blessing? That’ll determine how much energy you should expend.

There’s no claim of transparency or trust after the fact. Those gems should absolutely exist, between involved, interested, and impacted parties, prior to the making of oral or written agreements, the breaking of ground, the making of schedules, the assignment of personnel, the forming of alliances, the promise of participation, the spending or disbursement of resources, or the establishment of representative or governing bodies. 

“They” don’t want to know what you think, if they’re coming to you with a fully conceived, active plan, decision, menu, itinerary, choice, or product in hand. At that point, it’s just show-and-tell. What’s expected is support. If they’re just going to do what they want, why bother asking what you think? Do they merely want you to feel like you’ve been consulted, heard, or are a vital part of the conversation? Do they reach out because they need to gauge how much pushback, complaints, disapproval, judgment, protests, and even moral or legal hurdles they may have to face?

Look. They’ve already had THE meeting amongst themselves. They’ve already committed themselves, time, resources, AND even you. They’ve probably already even relayed that you’ll be fine with it! The deal is done. They know deep down that you aren’t, and would never be in favor. They see the pitfalls, too. They already know YOU, and what’s important to you. They know that if they’d acted with integrity, the plan would have been dead in the water—not even on the table. It wouldn’t have been a random thought. They just have to pretend that your opinion matters, about something no one asked for, nor wants. Unless you’re in favor of, or benefiting from, or being financially enriched by the plan, as they are, your views are moot. 

Follow the money, and the boneheaded plan, that serves only a compromised few, makes perfect sense. Understand that they need time to arrange guilt trips, and formulate excuses, gaslighting talking points, performative delays, and reasons why you should blindly agree and hop on board a bandwagon that’s already in motion—and has probably been chugging along for a long time. 

You know better than to try and jump into a moving vehicle. Stand by for the cleanup and fallout, though. Reserve your “I told you so.” Save your two cents. Stand still. It’ll stop. Poorly conceived and executed ideas usually do.

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: ON THE JOB

Nah, Leaders. Nope. Tell the truth. You don’t just want employees to be faithful. Faithfulness isn’t the only attribute you prefer, but you do tend to trot it out when you’re bothered by someone’s departure, or demanding blind loyalty and compliance. Being consistently present can’t be the principal thing.

You want people to be competent, intelligent, qualified, and confident, too. You want them to have a reason to be invested in the organization, that’s rooted in their good character. You want them to care about the quality of their own work, and how it benefits the whole— not just you. Their excellence will often be attributed to you, and you know full well that you couldn’t execute their job on your best day!

You say (and threaten) that it’s easy to replace people, and it’s even easier to find eager people who’ll do the work for less, but why would you even lead with that attitude? Seems kind of manipulative, don’t you think? So, you’re just assigning duties to, and collecting the desperate, the beholden, the unqualified, the opportunistic, the anxious people pleasers, and the yes men? Oh, they are there, alright, bowing and grinning, and nodding on cue, but have you noticed that you have to constantly micromanage, make excuses for, clean up after, berate, and correct them? You already know that you can’t trust that they’re going to make wise decisions, follow directions, or follow through! You have to have your hands in everything? Is that the plan? Being surrounded by dutiful idiots who are prone to embarrass you, is not a flex.

I was reminded of something my Dad used to say: “If you’re a leader, and you’re not training and mentoring somebody to take your place, you’re not leading. You have a fan club.”

A problem arises when you, Mr. or Ms. Leader, think people belong to, or should be beholden to you. You can’t be insecure, or envious of people’s abilities, the attention that their ability brings, and the expectation it garners for maintaining standards, efficiency, and acknowledging actual skill. Devaluing people, gaslighting them, and expecting them to play small, is an indication of the state of your heart, not theirs. Applauding and promoting mediocrity, in their faces, doesn’t make the competent person sad, or look bad. They are fully aware of what effectiveness looks like. It’s what they’ve studied, practiced, worked for, and always aspired to achieve. Your undue criticism of, and unwillingness to treat them as the adults and accomplished professionals they are, just frees them to exit, and unite with people, and explore places and spaces that value and encourage what they have to offer, as opposed to people who unnecessarily compete with, belittle, and aim to control or own them—and their gifts and talents. 

A leader who doesn’t recognize or utilize the resources that are right under his or her nose, and prefers to marginalize or demonize them, will soon become bored with, and  resent the previously lauded faithful, for lacking skills they never had. That’s not logical nor fair.

Playing games and pitting people against each other, may be amusing, but that revolving door of competent people, isn’t (and neither is witnessing the destruction of a once respected, thriving organization).

#currentevents 

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT

A CITIZEN’S LAMENT 

They seem to wake each day, armed with new ideas designed to upset, disappoint, and grieve 

It’s like a twisted game, laden with tricks and traps that only evil can conceive 

They’re so consumed by greed; it’s like they can’t proceed unless they’re causing others harm

And those who should, and could defend the greater good? Too compromised to raise alarm.

The stress and frustration blanketing the nation, is like a fog that just won’t lift

Many lament “How long will the assault go on? When will the rank atmosphere shift

To a time when logic, competence, and empathy prevailed 

When leaders earned respect, not ridicule and jest?”

Somewhere along the way we’ve failed 

We applaud idiocy; praise mediocrity; condemn the innocent; reward guilt

Watch as there’s less and less of service, righteousness

And honor for what others built

If not for faith, some find that they would lose their minds; conclude there’s nothing they can do

Throw up their hands and quit; retreat, or just sit on their hands; hope for a new

And better chapter, where

People assist, and care

And don’t just think about themselves 

When they choose a side, or cast a vote, they try to see the plight of someone else 

Yes, they seem to wake, ready to cause heartache

But their reign won’t last always 

There will come a time when the undeserved grace they find

Will surely fade away

In the meantime— don’t faint or fall

Be anxious for nothing at all

What you seed power to, will grow

And though weapons will form

You need not conform, nor stray away from what you know

VRWc2026

#currentevents 

SUNDAY THOUGHTS

Don’t get it twisted, Friend. You’ve been neither deliberately forgotten, accidentally omitted, maliciously discarded, cruelly rejected, strategically overlooked, nor purposely excluded. You’ve been divinely rescued. You’ve been graciously protected. You’ve been mercifully hidden. You’ve been relieved from any need to fit in, play along, settle, shrink, seek validation, or waste time. 

That disinterest and indifference you feel is legitimate. It’s not apathy or laziness, it's honesty. It's medicinal. That laughter at what impresses others, and drives them to ever-dizzying heights of busyness, is loud and authentic. 

Your mind and heart is in a fantastic place. 

Your eyes are open. 

Your sense of smell is keen. 

You know what has changed, and what has, unfortunately, remained the shady same. 

Whether you were snatched or gently guided, you were saved from mistaking burdens for blessings. Aren’t you glad?

Understand. God doesn’t want you over there, settling and making excuses for, consumed with, and conforming to that— nor them. His omniscience and omnipresence informs, enlightens, and dictates the paths upon which you belong, the company you should keep, and the spaces where you will be nurtured, safe, strengthened, motivated, and most creative. He prepares your table. He wants you where HE is, and has given you the wisdom, and experience to discern what is of Him, and what’s superficial, resource and health draining, self-serving fluff, that does little, if anything, to represent or glorify Him. 

Deviate from what your gut is telling you, at your own peril. Don’t doubt that you see exactly what you see.

Remember: Green pastures. Still waters. Not sinkholes and tsunamis. 

He wants your soul restored, not tortured; not compromised. His yoke is easy, not a hustle or a chore. His burden is light, not a grind. 

WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS: TELEVISION