universal truth
kindest person in the room
often the smartest
Maybe this is that moment.
Maybe this is the first brick in the wall.
Maybe the little kid has FINALLY pointed out that the Emperor has no clothes and the scales are going fall off of eyes and see.
In a graduation speech at Northwestern, the Governor of Illinois said a lot of wonderful things.
As I use this blog to look for unique use of words and grammar, this speech of Gov. J.B. Pritzker has so many blocks of words and phrasing that it might fuel my blog for weeks,
The phrase that is taking hold on Media is this, “Over my many years in politics and business, I have found one thing to be universally true – the kindest person in the room is often the smartest.”
The kindest person in the room is often the smartest.
How ’bout that?
The kindest person in the room is often the smartest.
Anyone remember the movie Lost Horizons where the leader of the Shangri La says, “For here, we shall be with their books and their music, and a way of life based on one simple rule: Be Kind!
Anyone remember the verse in the Bible where Paul writes, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)
We have always known we should be kind but whoever thought that, as the Governor said, “… the kindest person in the room is often the smartest.”
I have long been considered to be smart though really I just have an odd memory and quick recall, but I am not sure I have ever been considered kind.
Actually I can be pretty sure that me being kind is the not first thing that might come to mind in peoples memories.
No one has ever said, “Boy that Mike, he sure is kind.”
Between the two, I would choose kind.
Maybe I can be smart enough to show that.
Not wanting to point fingers but if I think about a certain someone who claims to be the smartest person in the room, I can say with some certainty, this same feller has never claimed nor would he ever be accused of, being the kindest person in the room.
I have to feel that anyone … ANYONE … using kindness as a scale would measure this feller and come up on the short end of the stick.
Maybe the measure will be so plain, that people will see the fruits of this fellers spirit.
Ask not is this person smart enough.
Ask is this person kind enough.
Hate to say but when I thought about the kindest thing I have done lately, I had to change it to the last kind thing I have done and I am still coming up with … wellllll, does this count?
I guess if I have to ask, it most likely isn’t is it?
I can’t change the world but I can change me and I am going with being kind.
It’s the smart choice.
I think of my Mom.
Now there is someone who I can bet most folks would start out a remembrance saying ‘She sure was kind.”
Boy Howdy!, but was my Mom smart!
PS – look for more from this speech as time allows – here is the full text as a pdf.
No Haiku For You 