“Words calculated to catch everyone may catch no one.”
-Adlai Stevenson
Often times when we write or even want to speak on something we try to use words that will reach the masses instead of focusing on the message and what truly resonates with us. This is far too often seen with social media between posts on Facebook, Twitter or Linked In. Our goal goes from trying to spread a positive/encouraging message because it is in your own wheelhouse of beliefs or moral values to seeing how many likes, comments and retweets you get from others. The reward no longer is on the internal satisfaction side of making the lives of others better with your message but receiving external praise. Well before the Internet was even a thing, Former Governor of Illinois Adlai Stevenson’s quote reminds us that if we try to calculate our words to reach everyone we may not impact anyone.
Remember that our moral compass should not be built upon what others think of us. I’ve often said it is our actions and not necessarily our words that are most important. Words definitely can have a positive or negative impact on others and it is important to think before you speak or before you tweet because once it is out there you cannot take it back. Our purpose in life should not be to have others serve us with praise based on our posts, etc. Our purpose is to serve others. Help be their light when all they may see is darkness. We can be that moral compass for them too and that is where our true calculation should always lie.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards defining/refining your own moral compass?
Becoming The Change 