A musing centers on the wisdom of aging. It is philosophically and figuratively digestible and adds flavor to viewpoints considered. A musing meditatively and reflectively brings honor to beliefs and attitudes based on one’s experience.

Cindi Ross Scoppe, associate editor at The State, wrote: “If someone orders you to run a mile in 60 seconds, you’re going to fail. But failing to do the impossible does not make you a failure. It simply highlights how absurd the goal – and anyone who expects you to meet it – is. This foresight about the human body, speed velocity, etc., is on target.

Wrote Forbes magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990): “Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are.” If this is accurate, why do people keep score of old scores and scars? What is their motive?

English poet John Milton (1608-1674) voiced loudly and clearly, “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.” Is possessing an unbridled conscience a cherished liberty? Milton certainly thought so.

German poet and dramatist Bertholt Brecht (1898-1956) said: “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” This is a conjecture, a mind over matter thing. But it represents how change is a constant when things appear to hold on to the status quo. Things are changing without appearing to change.

Here are seven ideas that undergird musing and how the process might impact core beliefs and attitudes about some things:

1. A musing engages core beliefs. It reaches deeply into unbridled consciousness to penetrate ideas, ideas shaped by maturity. An Estonian proverb reads: “He who does not thank for little will not thank for much.” This musing smacks hard at a core human value.

2. Individuals use musing to enter into engagements, engagements that influence motives. A goodwill motive is nullified by poor behavior. An example: excessive gossiping.

3. Character building is an endearing outcome when musing connotes a moral influence or universal standard. A Rotary International Four-Way Test component asks, “Is it fair to all concerned?”

4. Etiquette in musing is non-threatening to a sound idea. Voiced American author Helen Hunt Jackson (1831-1885): “Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt; and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last; and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another.” Adopt humility over pridefulness.

5. A quality musing has an underpinning that is cordial, e.g, “Hello, how are you?”

6. “Nutty” musings offer little chance for direct instructional or growth opportunities. A nutty musing: “Do unto others before they do unto you.”

7. A bite-sized musing is tastier and more digestible than one that has not been cultivated and nurtured to embrace the human race.

Said children’s author Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss (1904-1991): “Be who you are and say what you feel cause people who mind don’t matter, and people who matter don’t mind.” This is a soulful musing. This type musing is digestible.

Reach T&D Columnist Howard D. Hill, Ph.D., via www.educationconsultant@sc.rr.com

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