We write this one with just a week to go this Christmas. Shopping done yet? If not that’s OK, you’ll be in line behind the Ironhead at some store this weekend. Trust me – NOT on Sunday. 

In increasingly crazy times we need some wisdom to guide us. The new year 2024 promises to be insane with things like the oncoming Big 18 (the Big 10 honchos still can’t count,) major decisions like the new Route 322 pathway and what’s up with Beaver Stadium, and of course that little election thing that will come barreling down the pike.

So before we all allow this to swallow us up, let’s remember two thoughts we came across recently…

It’s interesting to see all of the “tips” floating around out there on how to handle family holiday meals and any disagreements (usually political) that may come up at the dinner table. Ever notice that it’s always Grandpa or grumpy Uncle Charlie that are posed as the “troublemakers?” Never the youngsters with firebrand ideas that could burn down the house, only the older types. Hmmm…

No matter – we need to have better conversations in life, with family members or friends or co-workers or neighbors. Or even talk show hosts on a conversational radio program…

Rather than share some five step plan to deal with those situations, how about a simple quote from author and public broadcaster Celeste Headlee that caught our attention…

“We must learn to talk to people we disagree with because you can’t unfriend everyone in real life.”

Amen Celeste. Another bad side of social media – don’t like what someone has to say? Just Unfriend them – POOF, no more problem. Oh, if real iife were only so easy…

But actually that’s BAD – in real life there are times we simply need to confront those we disagree with, not to start a mouth battle or an actual fight but to find real answers to problems. One of our Let’s Talk show rules is simple – no one is 100% right, no one is 100% wrong. NO ONE. That person you despise – bet they’re right about something out there. Find those things you agree on and then do something with it. 

And when you disagree? Don’t do a Trump or be a caustic comedian and just tear down the other person. Listen, at least a little. If you disagree after that, fine. But maybe, just maybe, you’ll hear something interesting from that other person. Takes just seconds to listen.

And then let’s share something from a friend of mine named Gail. BEWARE – we’ll get a little religious here…

Everyone out there is looking for recognition and thanks, being noticed for good things they do. But how often do you genuinely offer that? Sadly, it doesn’t happen often. No wonder we have so many people struggling or abusing substances or worse. They never hear what Gail shared with me recently…

Proverbs 3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (NLT)

How often do we say “Good Job” to other people?  I’ve started noticing in society how stingy those words are starting to be.  Just because we laugh at the adage that we are in a time of “everyone gets a trophy”, I think that makes it even more detrimental to anyone not hearing a heartfelt “good job” from someone that means it.  There are certain personalities that crave hearing “good job” more than others, but at the heart of it we all want to hear it at some level. 

Why then can it be difficult to remember to affirm someone else with those words?  Is it because if we don’t feel like we are getting it we won’t extend it to someone else?  Maybe if we open up and show our appreciation for someone else’s effort it will start to return to us as well?  And so what if it doesn’t?  Just as people say that at this time of year it can feel better to give than receive a gift – can’t the same be said for saying nice words to someone just for the sake of improving their day?  It doesn’t diminish what you do, it amplifies the overall good that you are seeing in your community.  In our overly distracted lives let’s take some time to let others know we see them, appreciate them and think that they are indeed doing a Good Job.

Matthew 25:23  “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ (NLT)

Thank you Gail. For those of you not that religious, notice you didn’t explode when you read Gail’s passage above. Because she’s right, and those Bible verses are right as well. Both Testaments BTW. Absolute words of wisdom. Let’s see if we can all follow those ideas above as a brand new year approaches.

But don’t call it a new year’s resolution which never sticks. Call it a life lesson, one to emulate and done with gusto.