A lesson learned

Oh, where to start. I had a blog written in my head as I was trying to sleep on Friday night, but alas, it's gone now. I waited too long, and maybe next time I should just get up and write my thoughts down before they sail away.

Anyway, I hope I can articulate my thoughts here. I had the opportunity to attend a Gossip and Slander seminar thing at work on Friday and it was better than I expected. ( I call it a seminar thing because I think it was supposed to be a workshop, but it was more of a talk than anything). I dint have any expectations when I went in, and sometimes that's the best way to experience something. You don't have any preconceived notions or opinions to interfere. You have an open mind, and that is a wonderful thing.

One of the points the speaker said, was that every day, every moment we are changing the world around us. It might be good or bad, but it's happening whether we are aware or not. He also mentioned that we have a tendency to label people, and we forget that they have names and are special to someone. Who are we to minimize that?

This talk really got me thinking about our acts of kindness and the impact they really have. It's a small positive difference, but it is twofold. The receiver feels good, and the giver feels even better. One small thing, can change the world. And another thing, is just how big of an impact our words can leave. Good or bad. I am going to leave you with Socrates Test of Three.

Legend says that one day the great philosopher came upon a young man who ran up to him excitedly and said:

"Socrates, do you know what I heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of three?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test of is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," said the man. "Actually I just heard about it."

"Alright," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

So," Socrates continued. "You want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued." You may still pass though, because there is a third test - the test of usefulness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well " concluded Socrates, if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed, left.

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