Monday was one of those kinds of days that contained lots of busy business full of agendas and discussions and opinions and lots and lots of words.
A day in which we tinkered with things that seem like we have tinkered with over and over and maybe it seems without any movement on the scale.
One joint meeting and one candidate forum.... showing social benevolence at its finest!
Election season is no doubt a competitive season and thus an opportunity to practice one of the things that makes small town life so great!
Some call it "practicing the pause".
Recently a pessimistic essay came across my desk talking about Social Discipline. It was scolding us with the narrative that "nice people" were sabotaging our boards and that we were in need of fighters not cheerleaders.
Who says cheerleaders are not fighters?
No nice person would sabotage anything.
Maybe what is really needed in communities, boards or otherwise, is civility and a step up to some old-fashioned manners. Maybe the challenge is to serve, expecting excellence from ourselves and wanting what is best for our communities and if that takes roundtables x 7, then it's not just practicing the pause, but also patience, to get it just right.
And as we exit a meeting or discussion, sometimes our words and actions can have consequences that we are not aware of. Maybe even in a good way!
Let me share with you just such an example.
Scene:
5 qualified people on a stage running for an office to lead their community.
Same question asked of each.
One excellent answer.
Next 4 answers---ditto---can I ditto that? I ditto that too!
This particular Q&A exhibited quality leadership, stellar confidence, humor and yes, social benevolence.
Not only were the candidates complimentary of each other, they were complimentary to the next county over.
"I want what Hansford County has! They really have it going on---you should see their roads!"
To which was this was a later reply, “Our county roads ARE super nice---you can drive 60 mph on any of them, and you can quote me on that!---Hansford County Judge Tim Glass.
Looking at a glass half full or empty is a choice we all have to make, but it stands to reason one is better than the other!
