Writer’s Rant
3/23/24
“I drink to make other people more interesting.” (Ernest Hemingway) I have to admit, I am easily bored. It’s not a reflection on you, although it might be. Sorry, but not everyone can be as interesting as me! (If you don’t recognize sarcasm when you see it, well who’s problem is that?) The fact of the matter is, either you are (consistently) interesting or (blatantly) boring. I am not the determining factor; you are. In my professional life, I was paid to listen. It was an important skill, especially if the person was seeking counsel or advice. Fortunately, anticipated discussions of significance could legally be recorded in my state, provided at least one person in the discussion was aware it was being recorded. It was a valuable tool, especially when I drifted off during their boring rhetoric. To be fair, I usually advised the other person(s) that I was recording our talk unless of course it was a hostile witness who would have vehemently objected to it. Now I am a Stephen Minister. I don’t get paid to listen. So you must think that I’m a glutton for punishment. Perhaps a masochist? Neither I say. My reward is existential, at least in this lifetime. From what I have learned thus far, people involved in the program have some very interesting things to say. They are worth the listen. And I have an advantage over Ernest. I don’t need to drink to find consistently interesting people. (No boring rebuttals please.) 3/23/24
