Answer: (n) 1. a response to a question. 2. a solution to a problem or dilemma.
“I want answers.”
I’ve said it. And I have certainly heard it fall from the lips of friends and human beings passing before me.
It sounds noble, doesn’t it?
I’ve even made the mistake of trying to provide some insight or guidance to those who have proclaimed they require wisdom.
Yet I’m careful not to speak on things I haven’t experienced myself. As tempted as we are to pass on stories we have read on the Internet, they could be fostered by fools like me.
But now, since I have a bit of dust on my chaps from the journey, I pause when people ask for answers, and wait to see what follows.
It usually comes in one of three forms:
- “We want answers because we sure don’t think this is going to work.”
- “We want answers because the ones that have been provided for us are not very pleasant.”
- “We want answers because we want to be the first ones to come up with the answer.”
As you can see:
- #1 is already discouraged.
- #2 is pissed off.
- And #3 is driving a huge Cadillac of ego.
So what am I listening for? What would I like to hear in my own inner voice?
“I want answers and I’m willing to be wrong and even learn something new to get them.”
Because let’s be candid with one another–if what we’re doing isn’t working, it probably won’t work any better if we polish it up. Something has to change.
Politics won’t improve until it ceases to be a party contest. Religion must find a balance between the depravity of man and the all-blessed goodness of humans. And entertainment must consider the responsibility to inspire and not just alarm.
So I ask myself, do I want answers?
On some things.
On others … I need time to shed my stupidity.
Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) — J.R. Practix
