Welcome to my blog, Dr. Marc J. Yacht, writer, poet, actor, friend! Thank you for so many hours of your volunteer work in our community.
Marc J. Yacht, MD, MPH
Hudson, Florida 34667
Retired Director, Pasco County
Health Department
Guest Editorial: Oh no, not more resolutions!
Have I made resolutions? Several years ago, noting a long history of
failed efforts; I decided to give greater thought to my promises. The objectives: to make me a better husband
and father, a healthier specimen, less angry, and saner. I have had no success with “reducing anger”
from a previous declaration and frankly I am sure that “irate” is now the norm
among citizens who follow the daily events plaguing the nation. It is doubtful that many are happy.
Ergo, my first resolution:
Thou shalt listen to the other side!
Watching the demonstrations
and the counterdemonstrations that are tearing at the fiber of this nation, the
old adage, “I’d rather fight than switch,” cannot encourage a healing process to
foster civility. No one is listening and everyone is shouting.
And my second: Thou shalt not shout invectives at someone
with an opposing point of view!
I have found it very difficult to win someone
over when screaming obscenities and raising fists. Such behavior gets the
deserved response. A friend of mine
solved his propensity for cursing. He
decided to penalize himself $5.00 for each profanity. He would give his mounting fines to a free
clinic. Not a charitable person by nature, he found success with this
punishment. The avoidance of
fist-raising requires great discipline.
For the third: Thou
shalt study the issue well before forming an opinion!
It is very difficult to listen
to anyone who has no clue what they are talking about. Listening to TV pundits does not give one
expertise. Study the concern from all
angles, then talk.
And the forth: Thou
shalt not riot and destroy property!
Sadly the damage is typically
borne by the innocent and often a sympathizer.
Wonton destruction and looting serves no useful purpose. The police have
every right to drag the offenders off to the slammer.
For the fifth: Thou shalt respect an opposing point of
view!
Remember, no matter how right
you think you are; you could be wrong! Remember the bet
on the sure
winner that came in last. Recall that stock market pick that went south and cost
a bundle. No one is right all the time.
And the sixth: Thou
shalt consider that everyone is right!
Agreeing with someone is a
good start to defuse a hostile encounter.
It’s possible that the opposing party will show similar respect and agree
with you. Finding agreement is a win-win and may lead to a beautiful
friendship.
For the seventh: Thou shalt love thy
spouse!
Kids will grow up. They never
call or write. You’ll rarely see the
neighbors, and relatives can bring more trouble than your worst enemies. Co-workers are fleeting and eventually you
will retire. In the end, the two of you
are all you have – cherish each other.
And the eighth: Thou
shalt expect nothing!
With such an attitude whatever
you receive for you efforts or charity is better appreciated.
For the Ninth: Thou
shalt lighten-up!
Have a sense of humor, chortle
and enjoy a good joke. America has lost
its sense of humor and is dying for want of a good laugh.
That’s enough for this
year. It is doubtful I will keep any of
them…maybe one or two. However, I remain
optimistic, which brings me to…oh never mind!
Accept my best wishes
for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Dr. Marc
Yacht, MD, is a retired physician. This
column courtesy of Context Florida.
Marc J. Yacht MD, MPH
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"I got no time to get old!" Yachtism
