CCEOC Articles

The United States has a fever. I have a prescription.

My Prescription for a Healthier Society

I love America, but I am troubled by our public and private discourse. We live in a democracy. We have freedom of expression. It is a basic right. However, with rights come responsibilities lest we tramp that precious right asunder. Conversational responsibility now includes greater emotional intelligence in whatever we utter. Otherwise, we end up agitating others and that, in turn, prevents constructive dialogue. I think there is a better way.

America has several guardian angels that have pointed the way to more effective and meaningful conversations. I am inspired by their work and have many ideas of my own. I have concluded that I should put forth something because our society seems to be suffering from a fever that permeates our American culture. We are pervasively angry and crabby, and it is due to the nature and tone of our dialogue with each other. I am not going to point fingers or blame-shame anyone or attempt to argue right or wrong. Instead of finding fault I think I have found a new way to have conversations that can turn things around for the better.

As a country we have accomplished a lot. Let’s stop turning on each other. Let’s empower each other to achieve bigger and better things with constructive dialogue. Let’s solve problems instead of creating them. We do a great job of solving problems. If we have effective dialogue, we solve the right problems. Let’s create the right environment to make that happen with heart-felt discussions.

MY PRESCRIPTION

Given my why, here is my prescription for a society suffering from a malaise that I call a fever ….

1. Treat everyone with dignity and respect—thank you Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria.
   
   
2. Control your impulses—strive for emotional maturity
3. Beware of false prophets—separate fact from fiction
4. Think critically—set aside your biases and prejudices
5. Employ these Stephen Covey habits:
   1. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
   2. Think Win/Win
6. Make sure brain is engaged before speaking
7. Seek clarity and be clear
8. Mind your own business—take care of your internal state instead of projecting it on others
9. Remember:
   1. Personal character is necessary for a healthy society
   2. Rights carry responsibilities
   3. Attachment is the source of all suffering
   4. Merely winning an argument is a delusion of grandeur