|
| Lopez Island | Orcas Island | Visitor's Guide |
            
        
|
|
DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
|
Email this page to a friend Related Pages |
WHAT IS, IS
I joined some friends in a lively discourse outside the post office last week. We discussed the unusually hot weather, the dreadful state of the economy, the number of people out of work, and the shenanigans of political leaders throughout the world. Just as we reached consensus that the world is going to hell in a hand basket, an unfamiliar voice entered our conversation. An island elder, sitting on the bench behind us, listened to our complaints until he could keep quiet no longer. With a matter of fact inflection, this older gentleman said, "What is, is; and what ain't, ain't. So what are you going to do now?" With our mouths agape, our conversation was stopped short by this man's assertive comment. Feeling a bit nonplused and somewhat embarrassed, we were speechless as our faces began to flush. The gentleman stood up with a bit of effort, looked directly at us, and added, "Just quit wasting your time complaining and get on with life." Then he hobbled to his pick-up truck and drove off. Still flabbergasted by what had just happened, we watched the truck's tailgate as it moved toward the horizon. Then one of my companions summed up our collective reaction by saying "Whoa!" When our ability to speak returned, a few of my friends took a defensive stance, either asking what the old man's problem was or asserting that he just didn't understand how the world really is these days. I wanted to agree with them, but something inside me would not allow it. Although his manner had been curt, the gentleman's succinct wisdom was irrefutable. Things are the way they are, whether we like them or not. Griping and complaining keep us focused on the problems rather than the solutions. What is important is deciding what action to take in response to the way things are, and then taking that action.
© 2003 David Bentley David Bentley, M.Ed. & Personal Coach, coaches clients through the game of life, helping them find balance, clarity of direction, and purpose in an ever-changing world. You may contact him at 360.378.8436 by e-mail at david@coachbentley.com or visit his Web site: www.coachbentley.com |
||
|
SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 ABOUT US | ADVERTISING INFO | CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
|||
