“…I make serious effort, everyday… to reach a balance between being a “rascal of sorts” and a principled man who lives by the The Golden Rule.

NO OFFENSE INTENDED:  When the SUNSET began to settle on my career, I realized it was time to take the edge out of my personality. By that, I mean to say….

When engaging in conversation… rather it be…business, personal, or pleasure… or just issuing a basic directive… I did it such that there would be no misunderstanding about my intent.  No one had to ‘read between the lines’ with me.  It was my practice to be very specific, and as a by-product, and too often…ABRASIVE.  It’s what I now… refer to… as speaking with an edge.

I am sure that there were many people that were on the receiving end of my dialogue… who took what I said as being… eh…eh… OFFENSIVE.   When that was NEVER my intention.

Now a days… I am committed to speaking with a SOFTER EDGE.  I’ve always known the power behind phraseology… but too often, I failed to engage such logical rationale.  That said… my chosen, or preferred… way of doing business, seemingly turned out to be both productive and successful.  That doesn’t mean, however… that I couldn’t have ‘done better’ with a SOFTER approach.  I’ll NEVER know.  But… what I do know, is this:  Being a ‘nicer guy’ is a lot more enjoyable than one who communicates ‘with an edge.’

Think about it…but don’t wait decades…as I did… to live life more on the ‘simpler side’… without the necessity, or preference… of dissecting every word spoken; both mine and/or theirs.

It’s not been easy… going from SHREWD, CRUDE, and sometimes… RUDE…to ‘a nice guy…yet decisive; personable… yet exacting; effective… yet friendly; and successful… yet, still… approachable.  But I try… and I make serious effort… to reach a balance between being a “rascal of sorts” and a principled man who lives by the The Golden Rule.

We are offered some help, and clarification… in Matthew 10:16 – “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

And in Proverbs 12:23 … we are told – A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Then, in Proverbs 14:15, it is said – The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.

…Blessings…cjlb…8/21/2017