A Cup of Conversation – August 2020

  1. Take nothing for granted. The age-old expression of not knowing what you have until its gone is as relevant today as millennia ago. Life sometimes grants second and third chances in the big-mistake stuff but often does not. This applies to intentional or unintentional mistakes; the laws of the universe don’t play favorites. Gravity is gravity and for every action there is an equal reaction. Whether driving a vehicle through a violent mob or just going to the market, there are physical and legal realities to wrong decisions.
  2. Be thoughtful, courteous and friendly. We’re supposed to learn in the sandbox playing with other kids then not forget these things as we grow older. We’re all the same in this regard. There hasn’t been a man or woman born not wanting to be treated with courtesy and a smile. Billions of human beings and never once has anyone ever thought they’d rather be treated with thoughtlessness, rudeness and malice. It’s universal and transcends all relational barriers including race, gender, politics and religion. This is where peace on earth starts.
  3. Take extra time to re-think everything before action. Ready, fire, aim…says it all. That’s true in matters of the heart as well as on the gun range. The tongue is like a wildfire, all-consuming and destructive. Make sure what you’re intending before pulling its trigger. We can’t ever take some things back and must live with the results forever.
  4. Treat your neighbor with the utmost respect. Working with estranged and disenfranchised boys finding themselves in trouble and vulnerable to gang culture, one thing is always the same. These youth crave respect because they’ve been raised without receiving it nor giving it. It’s amazing the power of a good word in a tense moment. Those quick to apologize and take responsibility, even if there is no clear path to blame, are the peacemakers and peacemakers shall inherit the kingdom of God regardless of what one believes.
  5. Prepare to accept full responsibility, legally, morally and physically for every decision you make. “But I didn’t know” will not explain away in a courtroom or a court of public opinion a reckless decision with matters placing others in harm’s way. Many of these same matters we deal with every day and mostly do not give it a second thought until something bad happens. Whether a casual or deliberate remark on social media for the purpose of intimidation or to simply wound or an accidental discharge on the range, there is always an implied liability. The angry heart is as dangerous as the loaded firearm. Navigate both with extreme caution because ignorance won’t be a defense when someone gets hurt.
  6. Continually take stock of the precious, fragile nature of life. Time on earth has a shelf-life. Some lives have a longer shelf-life than others for reasons beyond our control. Let’s not shorten the shelf-life of ourselves or neighbors by forgetting how irreplaceable life is. Throwing a Molotov Cocktail in an occupied police cruiser will not be explained away by getting caught up in the passion of a cause…of anything. Just ask the two lawyers in Brooklyn sitting in jail. The real prison would be having the faces of dead cops’ children burned into the mind of those doing time for the thoughtless crime. Once the object of destruction leaves the hand or barrel, its flight and destination are locked in a result. We can’t stop either.
  7. Patience is a wise virtue. Patience eliminates a vast majority of potential mistakes. It is always the impulse decisions or words or actions where we pay the most dearly.
  8. Impatience is a fool’s errand. ‘If I would’ve only just waited’ are the most agonizing words in the language of regret.
  9. Control your breathing to clear your head. Whether a highly-trained Seals Team sniper with crosshairs on the jihadist strapped with explosives or average Joe taking abuse from an out of control, unemployed kid dressed in black like a ninja, screaming vileness and spittle in Joe’s face, a cleansing breath always precedes better judgement regardless of the outcome.
  10. Aim first, fire second. NOT the other way around.

Pretty self-explanatory.