“Well done good and faithful servant”
For a while there was an abundance of leaders, mentors, people to look up to. Father figures really. People I liked, admired and trusted, who loved me and challenged me in return. My speaking freely was encouraged and useful. But for a while lately I had to weigh my words carefully. Even when I stayed true to my beliefs.
When we live without such authority over us, we get exhausted and discouraged a lot easier. For it to be sustainable and healthy, if we lead and mentor others, we need to be led and mentored as well.
These days I feel irritated, rebellious really. I say things. Things that other times I would have let slide to just be gracious. I have trained myself to wait and speak up after weighing the appropriate answer. It is a lot of work, and people play by all kinds of different rules, their feelings get hurt easily and become defensive to fast too early.
So one ought to find their own rhythm. I’ll try to give fair warning.
Conrad has been a greatest advocate of bluntness. Uncompromisingly forthright. That’s what he is. And he is trying to convert me as well. Given my level of irritability because I bottled up my opinions and answers, I think I can go for a little directness.
So who or what validates you? Or can you think of someone in your past who had the power to breath life into you with words of affirmation, or helped you grow with wise, insightful, blunt words?