Like Turtles

How often are good manners, graciousness, and a calm voice mistaken for weakness?

Every time I turn on my television I hear people ranting and screaming, as if by raising the volume and decreasing the vocabulary they can make more of a statement!

The only statement they make to me is that I tune them out.  Actually I turn them off and I can't believe the reality is much different than that for the people there in person.

Bullies rely on loudness, aggressiveness, and brute strength, in order to make those around them cower and I do cower, but it is done out of a sense of self- preservation.  Intelligence forces me to out wait the storm and then to proceed to do whatever it was I thought was right in the first place.

Strength comes from within.  Built upon experience and courage, as well as intelligence, it is not something that stands out like flags, or weapons, or even diatribes.  Strength manifests in what gets done, often in silence and without much fanfare at all.

Beware the bully because he incites the masses.  You may have to look deep for the real heroes.  It is the quiet man or woman standing in the background, willing to listen and learn and then act deftly who usually makes a difference.

They are the lovers, the ones who really believe in what they are doing and are willing to do what is necessary to get it done.  You might even fear them if what they want is not what you want.  They are much stronger than rabble-rousers and fighters.

Steady and sure, they are like turtles.  Quiet, unassuming and willing to work within the frame work of polite society, they are remarkably good at finishing what they start.