When my last letter was published in the December/January 2011 issue, I wrote the following:
“I am at a loss to explain the personal attacks of many officials and community leaders, which seem to be getting nastier by the month. I thought name-calling was something we all should have learned was ‘not polite’ by the time first grade was over. I don’t agree with many thoughts, ideas, or processes either, but I sincerely do appreciate those who give their time and effort to make our fair city a better place to live. We need to do a better job of looking for ways to say, ‘Yes, we can,’ instead of sometimes being a community of ‘No.’ And if you’re a name caller, involve yourself in the process.”
It might not hurt a few folks to read it again. They must have just missed it. I will simplify many thoughts I have by quoting a gentleman by the name of Kent M. Keith, who in 1968 wrote what are called the Paradoxical Commandments. I first became aware of these commandments at a Youth First Breakfast of Champions honoring United Companies CEO and president Ron Romain back in October 2010. I thought so highly of the Paradoxical Commandments that I decided to request them, and here they sit next to me, the only thing placed under my glass desk top. I am choosing the ones I feel are most relevant to me as I write this letter:
“If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.”
“The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.”
“The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by
the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.”
Words to live by. We look forward to continuing to enjoy serving our community.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Todd A. Tucker
Publisher
