Has this confusion ever happened to you?

There’s an old tale in the Marine Corps about a lieutenant who inspected his platoon, and told the sergeant that the troops smelled really badly. The lieutenant suggested that the troops change their underwear.

The sergeant responded, “Yes sir; I’ll see to it immediately.”

He went into the tent and said, “The lieutenant thinks you guys smell bad, and he wants you to change your underwear. Smith, you change with Jones; McCarthy, you change with Witkowskie; Brown, you change with Schultz. Get to it !”

It isn’t what the lieutenant said, it’s what the sergeant heard!

All the politicians seem to be focused on is ‘change’. Change for America, change the taxes, change the political climate, changes for our health care, and the list can go on and on. Or so I think that’s what they want to change. I have listened to parts of their speeches and I can’t figure out what exact change they want to bring about.

And … change that I believe is good may not be the change they want to bring about. Some people adapt quite easily to change; in fact they look forward to it and embrace it eagerly. Most change I am excited about and willing to try it. Changes occurring to my finances and affecting my family are two that I may not be willing to try. Tell me the change you want to make, tell me how it will affect me, and I will let you know if I am on board with you.

Other people try to strong-arm any shadow of change by becoming paralyzed. These people need a lot of time to think through the change and adapt to it. They also need the time to bring closure to what they are leaving behind. They need to talk about the upcoming changes. They need to know that the majority of people agree with the change. They may also need to know the specifics of the change, not just at the surface level but also several layers deep.

“It’s time for a change” is a typical political campaign phrase. Then they talk in generalities about the change they want to make. Changes in health care? What about the people who have health care … do they want a change? Changes in taxes?

What exactly do they want to change? I don’t want to get into a political debate … there are others who can better debate those issues with you.

Remember: the same word can have many different meanings to as many people. What does ‘change’ mean to you? And what does change mean to your closest friend? or your significant other?

Remember: It isn’t what they said, it’s what we think we heard. Especially when they aren’t making themselves clear. Interpretation … ah that’s a topic for another posting!