Long
before text messaging reduced words to their first letters, writers and
editors referred to a commonly over-used plot as IOIHK – “If only I had known.”
Books, movies, stories, areas of miscommunication, and misspent lives have infamously fallen into the IOIHK category. But in this time of rampant misunderstanding between various peoples and traditions of faith, we poets, writers, pastors, teachers, parents, politicians, caregivers, and other leaders can be mindful of cultures, levels of maturity, and opinions unlike our own.
Remember:
If Only I had Known often means we didn’t bother to find out!
The remedy, of course, is to check our emotions and check the facts.
- Ask questions to clarify.
- Listen – truly and intently.
- Aim to hear another perspective.
- Research.
- Investigate both sides.
- Look for workable solutions.
- Show respect.
- Build bridges.
- Embrace
the blessing of diversity!
Can we do this on our own? Probably not! But we can agree to pray
for God to help us to be open to other perspectives and peaceful possibilities for healing.
©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer
P.S. If you're writing a book or script, please be sure IOIHK is not the story plot!
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6 comments:
Goals of this sort are never too high for someone who is willing to try and try! Love it, Mary Oh my, I am truly a piet! 🤣🤣blessings.
:) Thanks, Nells. You're the best.
Blessings to you, Mary! Love to hear from you. Thanks for writing. Carol
PTL! Thanks, Carol.
So that's what it's called! I've experienced IOIHK on way too many occasions. And you're right - it's because I chose not to take the time to discover what I did not know. Sigh. Grateful I belong to the God of second, third, tenth, and umpteenth chances, although that's not an excuse for doing my part.
Thank you for this reminder, Mary.
Thanks for reading and responding, Ava. Praise God for being The Only One Who Always Knows!
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