In my previous blog post, I focused on a 'habit of highly effective people' as defined by Stephen Covey, the great writer and professional development consultant. The habit?
SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
If only I would do so consistently. If only more citizens of this world practiced this value time after time in all circumstances.
Now, along comes a short December and "Advent season" reflection that dovetails well with the Covey Habit -- the text can be found in the new issue of America magazine. I will paraphrase its words as written by Maurice Timothy Reidy, the executive editor of America.
"There are big differences between words and actions. Words are important. They serve to lift our spirits, to confront and name the truth, to acknowledge our feelings, and to tell it like it is (or was). Words constitute an essential component of prayer, for those who actually pray, but human words are not enough. We are called to worship in word and deeds. Do the right thing, choose wisely, the moral and ethical thing in all cases, even when no one is looking and no one will find out -- that is an immensely important emphasis on 'doing' in human life.
"On a related note, in her bestselling book, Quiet, author Susan Cain asserts that that introverts are not properly valued in our talk-saturated culture. We praise people who give good speeches but we sometimes fail to recognize those who spare the words and mainly get things done. Introverts are often highly productive members of society. But because they don’t call attention to themselves, they don’t receive a lot of attention. Christians and members of other faiths, and even non-believers, who get things done are laboring to prepare a better, more human and loving future for all of humanity. This is precisely what a period of time, and "advent" in religious terms, is all about. It is for dedication to the work of quiet preparation."
"On a related note, in her bestselling book, Quiet, author Susan Cain asserts that that introverts are not properly valued in our talk-saturated culture. We praise people who give good speeches but we sometimes fail to recognize those who spare the words and mainly get things done. Introverts are often highly productive members of society. But because they don’t call attention to themselves, they don’t receive a lot of attention. Christians and members of other faiths, and even non-believers, who get things done are laboring to prepare a better, more human and loving future for all of humanity. This is precisely what a period of time, and "advent" in religious terms, is all about. It is for dedication to the work of quiet preparation."
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