We all want transparency, but more often than not we don’t like hearing the unvarnished truth especially when involving you personally. It’s nice to demand it when you’re shouting at Congress, but God forbid your neighbor point out the mold on your roof. Transparency correlates with total words in tough situations. The less words the more transparent. With personal health care, however, I’m a hypocrite. When things are great I’m happy to immediately bolt from the office, but when things are bad I want Dr. Wellby to linger around a bit, chat with me in flowery terms, and stroke my fur like a big cat to comfort me. I like transparency when it’s good for me; not so much if it isn’t. The saying, “as clear as a pane glass window” implies total truth but running into glass at full speed clearly leaves an impression.
The Wiseman’s, our neighbors in Oklahoma, got a dachshund puppy one Christmas, so they told the boys to come over and see it. The chillins stormed out of our house and ran across the street to the Wiseman’s without putting on jackets in the middle of winter. I lagged behind about 10 minutes later but stopped in my tracks in their driveway. I see right in front of me the porch door wide open and the three of them playing with Sydney the dachshund in the Wiseman’s living room. If not once, a thousand times, I’d told them to close the door in the winter; now they’re leaving the neighbor’s door open for God’s sake. I’m livid and march at full speed through the open door only to discover it’s actually closed. I collide into this full glass door at 100 miles an hour face first with the last thing I see being the boys and Sydney’s mouths hanging open. I clearly left an impression that day, largely an image of my face on the glass.
Transparency comes in all shapes and sizes. Yeah, we want the clear truth, but too much of it at once hits painfully or in my case panefully. Transparency is like glass, but glass as you know, comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. When you have bad news, don’t drop it on my head; instead give it to me in small measured doses with a soft gentle delivery like Mr. Rogers. Although the message is important, its tone is more powerful than the message itself. With a soft even tone I’ll view unpleasant obstacles better including front doors left wide open in the winter. Slainte.
Mr. Pete…in education… they call it “breaking it down into manageable parts.” I think any human gets overwhelmed with too much information at once. We can only digest so much at one time. However…I read this post at exactly 2:53 today and the kids leave at 3. I was just literally watching the clock…waiting to stuff them out of the door…and when I saw this post I laughed so hard I cried…and then thankfully the school day was over. You saved me. ❤️ The fact that you said “chillins” was enough to give me a big belly laugh. I don’t know why…but I think words are funny…I also think those neighbors of yours were lucky. If your face print is still on that glass they could probably sell it for a lot of money on eBay. Slainte! 🍀🪳❤️
Elisa, the Wiseman’s laquered over the impression and donated the door to the Cowboy Hall of Fame in OKC. Pete
I think I enjoyed this the best out of anything you have written. You are the best and I Flippin love you.
Angie, you should be out surfing at this hour on the ocean, not the internet. I hope you are having a great time in Hawaii! Pete
I look every Wednesday forwarded to them Thanks again ANGELS WATCHING OVER YOU AND DIANE
Beverly, I enjoy reading your comments; I appreciate your insights. Pete
I feel as though honesty and transparency go hand-in-hand. Too much can be overwhelming and not enough can drive you crazy. Great post
Honesty, transparency, candor, and tact are The Four Horsemen of Messaging
Pete
I just did a blog binge this morning reading many of your past blogs. Log throwing, beer drinking, gambling, cigar smoking, chewing tobacco, tattoos, Christmas trees, machete snowmen heads, ND football, sunrises and a laugh out loud re clippers Diane used on a cat the night before she shaved your head. Many smiles my friend. Great photos too. Of course, I saw a picture of a tornado and didn’t have to read a thing….knowing it was going to reference Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner!
Love that Faith and Family shine through all your blogs. Have a blessed day!
Stan, whoever said living with gusto was easy? Thanks for reading and commenting. Best for 2023! Pete
You made me laugh so hard I spit my drink out!!! Hysterical!! Some things aren’t always as transparent as that door! I remember my mom had to put a sticker on the glass doors so we didn’t slam into them coming in the house from the pool!!! Stay well!!!
Fran, there’s something about people young and old walking into sliding glass doors that brings a smirk to my face (unless it’s me walking into it). Pete