Over a quarter of a century ago, a lovely little book was written carrying a kind and gentle message in parable form. While it was well received (4.7 Amazon stars), it didn’t make much of a splash in the big world (only 33 reviews in 27 years), but it did make waves in my life, in my heart. “Managing from the Heart” core message in an acronym:

“Hear and Understand me.”

“Even if you disagree with me, don’t make me wrong.”

“Acknowledge the Greatness within me.”

“Remember to Look for my Good Intentions”

“Tell me the Truth with Compassion”

The middle three particularly resonated with me:

“Even if you disagree with me, don’t make me wrong”
“Acknowledge the Greatness within me”
“Remember to Look for my Good Intentions”

I can see the world differently than others and still get along with them, still listen, still look for the good in them, still try to understand the why and wherefores of what is behind their beliefs, still believe that they are good people. My ego doesn’t have to make them bad; I don’t have to attack others or their belief systems in order to re-enforce mine. I can disagree without being disagreeable.

It serves no good when we attack each other, throwing out barbs and put downs, digs and not so thinly veiled insults, be it in our private conversations or national discourse. Resolve always to live and speak from the heart, to disagree without making others wrong or bad, to look for the good in others, to humbly remember our own shortcomings, stumbles, and faults before speaking of others.

Closing Quotes:

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” – John 8:7

“What others say and do is their karma, how you choose to respond is yours.” – Proverb

“Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.” – George Washington, 1732-1799

“The great thing about civility is that it does not require you to agree with or approve of anything. You don’t even have to love your neighbor to be civil. You just have to treat your neighbor the same way you would like your neighbor to treat your grandmother, or your child.” – Barbara Brown Taylor (TIME magazine’s 2014 annual TIME 100 list of most influential people in the world)

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier