I make no claim to a unifying theme here. Each paragraph was written alone and stands alone.

If there is a theme, it is for you to discover and form.

Like  the unity of so many of the cacophonous voices in our environment, the message is yours to find.

———————————–

My opinions are like underarms.
Like most folk, I have two.
Others are offended by their emanating aroma before I notice
I need opinion hygiene.

To distinguish between
Opinion,
Preference,
Emotion,
Perspective,
Prejudice,
Inspiration,
&
Insight
Is no small task.
Speak.
Listen.
Be.

If making up my mind is like making up my bed, it won't last long … or I will be too sleep deprived to remember anyway.

If you fear me
When you see me
And I, in turn, fear you,
The spiral of
Communication
Downward
Would be the envy
Of roller coaster
Engineers

As I was walking to St Joe,
I met a man with a broken toe.
He knew some things I did not know,
Which I suppose just goes to show ….

Standing one's ground may lead to necessary impasse, but one never knows until common ground us sought and all voices have been heard.

If we can agree we have a problem and agree on some part of what it is and agree we want to solve it, we have made much progress. 75% maybe.

There must be some detente if there is going to be any negotiation. Negotiators do not compromise principles. They start with common ground.

Politics at its best: collective, collaborative, courteous, and civil communication to solve problems as a people of differing perspectives.

If I say that Z is an unprincipled ignoramus, but Z is holding cards we need for a mutual win, I've gained nothing by winning that battle.

There's no shortage of clever slogans to obscure, marginalize, fragment, & distort the truth they purport to underscore- including this one.

If I represent Jesus, it may require that I keep my own opinions within the laboratory of my own mind until they are better formulated.