Today I am sitting at the Carbondale Barnes & Noble on a very humid day off from work. It has been well over a month since my tongue decided to stop working properly. I have yet to give this experience an official title. I am accepting submissions, though; so please send your suggestions. The Great Tongue Twister? The Terrible Tongue Tangler?
Besides the physical inconvenience this apparently “from now on” predicament I find myself in, I am still amazed about the emotional struggles I am having with this new part of my life. I never realized how much … pride / worth I have put into the sound of my own voice. Does this just scream an illustration of an overactive, but until recently, silent ego? I have had many caring people ask if I am in any pain; and I have to truthfully say the only thing that is bruised is my ego. There is some voice inside my head that discourages me to speak now due to the fear of what words I will literally slur.
This is by far the biggest struggle I have with this entire experience. I question how this new disorder will limit and even may shrink my level of influence. How many great teachers, speakers, and businessmen do you know of that have a speech impediment? I can think of 2 and one of them has been dead for over 2 millenniums.
I am not asking for pity in any way by writing this rant. I seriously want your thoughts on this matter. From a sociological perspective … from a Christian point-of-view, how does one allow certain variations of a person’s voice (sound), of a person’s appearance (sight), of a person’s scent (smell) to affect their level of credibility & influence?
Take the most influential person you have ever known…you have ever heard of, and give them an extra “flaw” Let’s use Jesus Christ for an example.
Many of us white, suburbanite Americans have grown up with the image of a fair-complexion, brown-haired, brown-eyed, medium height, medium build, Jesus.
What if Jesus had a lisp? What if Jesus had a voice that made you cringe at the sound of it? What if Jesus was a lot shorter than the average Jewish man of his day? What if Jesus had a massive overbite? What if Jesus had some nasty bad breath or gagging B.O.? What if Jesus truly had all of these traits? His words and his actions would not have changed? But, perhaps, the credibility & influence of Christ’s words & actions did change? Whether they increased or decreased, I supposed, depended upon the heart & mind that heard, saw, & smelled them.
I am definitely upset about this new aspect to my life. But below the surface, I am uncovering some prejudicial concepts I have held of people. This new revelation is making me sick at my stomach. With this discovery, I am in desperate need of a daily pimp slap from myself.
To these “new” LOTs (Least-Of-These) that God has revealed to me and to Jesus, himself, I am truly sorry for being such an inconsiderate ass.
Reflections & Ramblings that I pick up along this journey through life. www.drneilclayton.com
2 comments:
Appearence may affect people's initial thoughts on you, but in the end, credibility and influence are awarded to those who deserve it. If you speak the truth (or the twuth in your case) people will listen and you will make a difference. There are also several forums in this world that don't even use a spoken language. One more thing, Jesus also led by example, not all of his lessons were verbal.
A man's talk is only as good as his walk, and you are understood quite clearly. I want to speak as well as you do.
Post a Comment