The basic tenant of this work is as profound as it is basic. “Say what you mean. And mean what you say without being mean when you say it.” It is not simple. She stresses that we first must know ourselves. I must know what I think and I must be very clear. I also must be careful to select just the right words.

            Runion hits the target dead on when she states, “Speak as if every word matters. It does.” Words have power. They are not throw-aways.  Once spoken words have a life of their own. They cannot be recalled nor altered.

            Runion stresses the high price of silence. We are all guilty of remaining silent when we should speak up. We have a responsibility to challenge demeaning of others, inaccurate information, and flawed or illogical reasoning. She provides a very good list of things in our communication to avoid and an equally good list of things to embrace. “Be an agent of unity and resolution, not divisiveness and despair.”

            Most readers will find the chapter dealing with setting ground rules for our political discussions very helpful. The problem is putting these guidelines into place before we launch our attacks. She articulates an ideal situation and most of us fall far short of that.

            From my experience working with groups, I would like to see a stronger argument or more emphasis on the absolute necessity for good listening practices.

            I had to work hard to get past the explanation of how the brain matures and its division into the Izzie, Webby and Prof. I found this to be a distraction rather than a help. Others might enjoy this explanation.

            Ms. Runion is an accomplished professional speaker with seven other books to her credit.  How to Restore Sanity to Our Political Conversations: Reasonable Responses, Constructive Comebacks, and Powerful Phrases, is a welcomed addition to our battle to turn down the national rhetoric and restore civility. I read the paperback edition; however, it is also available in an electronic edition. Go to www.WebStreamPublishing.com

Mitch Carnell, Ph.D. is the editor of, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World and Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter.  He blogs at www.mitchcarnell.com and www.christiancivility.com.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

            Love matters:  love of God, love for each other, love for neighbor.

            Family matters. The family is our glue, our safety net, our sanctuary.

            Faith matters.  We need faith to point us to tomorrow. We need to believe in something    outside ourselves.

            Friendship matters. Friends are necessary for a sense of well-being, a feeling that we         belong.

            Home matters. We need a place where we feel safe, secure, valued.

            Freedom matters. We need freedom to thrive as individuals and as a society.

            Fairness matters. Every human being has a built in sense of what is right.

            Integrity matters. If I lose myself, I lose everything.

            Civility matters. If I demand respect for myself, I must also grant it to you.

            Truth matters.  It is necessary that we strive for truth or else life becomes unbearable.

            Laughter matters. Laughter is present in every culture and every animal. It binds all of       nature. It is nature’s medicine.

            Music matters. Music soothes us, inspires us, excites us and unites us.

            Honor matters. I am who I say I am.

            Country matters. Country gives us identity and purpose.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

First Baptist Church of Charleston: Originally adopted by the church August 21, 1791.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.