Potential? Depends on who you ask

This, that, and the other thing on my mind riding in the car with Buddy…

— A good reporter would tell you all the ins and outs of the County Commission’s new microphone system, but this good reporter is retired. All I know is we have one.

It’s been an issue for some time at County Commission meetings. Hard to hear commissioners in the back of the room.

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I’m sure the folks who installed this system had the best intentions. But, geez, it sure was odd Tuesday when it became clear there were four microphones for five commissioners. Ruthie Davis Schlabach and Rebecca Bays ended up sharing a mic, swinging it back and forth when one wanted to speak.

Before we all laugh at the county, be honest…who hasn’t had glitches with new contraptions in their homes and businesses?

I’m sure it’ll be just right next time.

— Lost in all the Inverness Villages 4 debate Tuesday: Even with the building moratorium lifted, who the heck is buying property and moving into that community? Anyone doing even an ounce of research would see what a mess it is.

Seriously. Someone moves blindly into IV 4 after all this, we better not hear about it.

— I posted a photo Tuesday evening of the new lanes on U.S. 41 in Inverness. A reader remarked that it was about time the county widened that road!

Except…U.S. 41 isn’t a county road. We really need to know this. The state oversees state roads — U.S. 41, U.S. 19, U.S. 98, S.R. 44, and S.R. 200. The other numbered roads are county roads.

Gripe all you want about slow road work, but let’s make sure the complaints are directed where they belong. The county unfairly catches a lot of grief about U.S. 19. It has nothing to do with U.S. 19 construction other than complain like everybody else about the time to complete it.

— Someone the other day took displeasure with the point of a recent blog.

The person sent me a text expressing her objection, and we had a back-and-forth about it.

The two of us have had other blog-related disagreements over time. Some we resolve, and some we don’t. That’s how this business works.

She ended her conversation with a personal zinger:

“I find you to be all too often close-minded and unfair due to predetermined conclusions before really looking into things. Unfulfilled potential for what you could be.”

Well then.

Have you ever noticed that the word “potential” is often referred to as something not reached? “He has such high potential, but…”

That’s really one of the worst insults to lay on someone. Yeah, you had the potential for greatness, but you’re a loser instead.

We should remove “potential” from our vocabularies. I mean…the only person who can decide whether I’ve reached my potential is me.

Plus, we use it to disparage all sorts of things. The whole growth debate taking place has folks talking about Citrus County’s potential. Depending on your view of things we’ve reached our potential, lost our potential, or will never even define our potential.

Personally, Just Wright Citrus has exceeded my potential. No way I saw this coming. The ability to write a single blog each day on whatever subject I choose is quite satisfying. The conversation that takes place here nearly every day is far beyond what I considered any potential.

So, do I have “unfulfilled potential?” This is an abridged version of my text reply:

“With all due respect, I’m very happy with who I am and what I do. Very happy. Very very, very happy. This blog is beyond the dream of a lifetime. If it ends tomorrow, I’m way ahead.

“I seek each morning to do God’s will and advance his kingdom. Then, away we go. Potential? Each day, I fall far short. I constantly self-criticize, but am getting much better at it. Opinions of others have little bearing on me unless they have seen my scars as well. Those special people get carte blanche access to my life. I am their business.

“Lighten up. Grace surrounds you. It’s a beautiful night with another full moon. Life is awesome.”

Enjoy your Thursday, friends.

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