(12) He Did the Difficult Things - pages 25-27

[Paul Terlemezian]

How do we do determine the right thing - especially if it is difficult to do?

• What is the role of opinion polls?
• Do they reveal to us what is true about us or about the truth of how others perceive us?
• Some say perceptions are reality - this sounds true to me.
• Is the right thing to do - the obvious thing to do?
• Is is difficult to do the right thing if it is unpopular with the "masses?"
• Being unpopular does not make something right - and yet being popular does not make it right either.
• I seek friends who trust me enough to tell me their truth and to let me tell them my truth - especially when our truths are not the same...and then allow our relationship to improve because we did so!

[Paul Terlemezian]

One Christmas - Sherry got me two books that I remember "Risky is the New Safe" and "Leapfrogging."

"Risky is the New Safe" taught:

1. Be curious
2. Have a discipline (to counterbalance unbridled curiosity)
3. Discern
4. Move in a direction that is the opposite of what the masses would choose

"Leapfrogging" taught:

1. Listen to what you are hearing inside yourself
2. Reflect on your past experiences related to what you are hearing
3. Take action to assure relevance and accuracy
4. Persist while listening to those who challenge your expressions...until
5. You get the surprise that solves the problem in a differentiated manner