Reputation will only go so far

“I am frequently wrong. So are you. Welcome to life.” — Just Wright Citrus T-shirt.

All the important stuff, I’ve learned in the rooms of recovery. Such as:

One day at a time.
This too shall pass.
Nothing changes if nothing changes.

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There are two statements, however, that stopped me cold when I first heard them, and I’ve spent the better part of 19 sober years trying to master these concepts each day. They are:

• What other people think of me is none of my business.
• I’m responsible for my own actions.

Whoa! Stop right there. My reputation doesn’t matter? I can’t blame you for what I say and do?

I first heard those foreign concepts on sobriety Day 2, as my body was morphing from the shakes to the involuntary twitches. Not only did I feel sick from head to toe, now my brain was trying to absorb the idea that I’m responsible for my own troubles.

And that truth has been hammered home time and again. Another one of our sayings: If I’m pointing the finger at someone, three fingers point back at me.

I own what I say and do. The idea of blaming something — politics, peer pressure, the bright moon, or whatever — is cast aside.

What others think of me is their business, not mine. I have a friend who puts it this way: If you’re not supposed to be doing it, don’t do it. If you’re supposed to be doing it, do it. If you’re good, let others say what they will.

I once heard another friend say, “I don’t want to be a nice guy. I just want a REPUTATION for being a nice guy.”

There’s a point somewhere.

Things have gotten a little heated around here lately. Talks about this, that, and the other thing are raising the temperature. Folks are staking out their territory. My way or the highway.

I’m guilty as anyone. I look back at the last few weeks, and some blogs screech like an owl. Not much encouragement for our elected leaders, or even an incentive. I get wrapped up in my own thoughts, and suddenly I’m the expert. Except, I’m not an expert. In, like, anything.

I’ve had Cattle Dog chats with three individual commissioners in recent weeks. Two of those discussions were challenging. I appreciate the commissioners sitting with me for difficult conversations. One, though, directly blamed me for “dividing” the community.

Now. What others think of me is none of my business. However, if a commissioner reaches that conclusion, it’s worth exploring. I ran it by a few people. They disagreed with the commissioner’s assessment. 

This blog isn’t simply Mike Wright’s thoughts for the day. It has over 8,800 Facebook followers. Businesses sponsor the website through paid advertisements. Many individuals belong to the Inner Circle or participate financially in other ways. People invest their time and energy in the effort. It serves a specific community purpose. 

Now’s a good time for some reflection. The calendar says I turn 67 today, and I’m pretty happy about that. Twenty years ago, reaching 67 seemed impossible. Didn’t think I’d see 50.

I’m in a time when community is vital to me. My siblings are in Michigan, and it’s Bunny and me at World Headquarters III. I’m not going to say I live for the blog, but it plays an overreaching part of my life. I want to set the right tone for these daily messages. 

I’m rambling. I know it. Blame it on old geezerhood. Just realize: 

It’s a great life. God has cloaked me with grace and mercy. I get to write a daily blog seen by thousands. That’s a heavy responsibility, and I’m grateful God tasked me with it. Your encouragement and suggestions are very helpful.

We’re taking the three-day birthday weekend, so no blog on Friday. Enjoy the days, Citrus County friends.

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