Jakes-Thoughts Are Powerful, Essay Example

Disappointments may come in different forms, but regardless of how they emerge, they are often always never welcomed by recipients, but should be used to help shape future encounters. There is a old saying that every disappointment is for a good reason, but this was countered by another that says loose lips will sink many ships, and as such one should consider wisely what he or she is thinking before proceeding to verbalize it in the presence of others, because it may either bless or offend them in the process.

Several years ago this individual as student was engaged in a group discussion prior to meeting the vice dean,   and a conclusion was mutually arrived at with regards to the poor quality of the lectures being given by the college principal, but when the actual meeting was held, little did this writer know that he was in for a big disappointment, from which he will learn that it is not always good to reveal what one is thinking.

The vice dean mid way through the scheduled meeting, asked sincerely if we were having any problems in the semester so far, and this writer on being acknowledged, rose to enunciate the feeling of the group in an effort to gain better quality of the delivery from the college principal. The writer made this decision to speak what was none his mind without thinking of the consequences, especially how it would be received by the entire group as well as the chairman of the meeting.

However, immediately after listening to my views, the vice principal proceeded to ask the rest of the class if they share similar views, but to my utter amazement, no one in the group gave support to viewpoints that a number of them had been in agreement with a few hours before. The entire batch of students became passive and unresponsive, causing the writer to begin feeling a spirit of disappointment and a wish that he had never volunteered for the task.

Disappointment turned to humiliation, when the vice dean used his platform to critized and insult the writer for his subjective views, and ended by issuing a warning regarding being disrespectful to leaders.  It seems that the writer’s mouth had landed him in trouble and it was perhaps better not to have said anything, especially in a climate that was not conducive to the sharing on one opinion, which in this case was the truth. Truth it seems to the writer at that point seems to have flown through the window because it may not have been communicated eloquently enough, lacked evidential support, and exposed the institution’s shortcoming.

The writer used the experience to note the level of cowardice and hypocrisy that existed in the group and took the incident as a teaching moment for future encounters,

However, there were no regrets because the truth was made know with the belief that the perceive weakness of the college leader would have been communicated up the organization hierarchy, and effect appropriate changes in his pedagogical approach.

Telling someone what ones is thinking on analyzing this case may or may not be good, depending on the issues at hand, the personality of the recipients, the prevailing climate, and the stage of development of the thoughts under consideration.

Persons hearing what one is thinking may become unappreciated, resentful, embarrassed, angry, bitter, de-motivated or even disappointed like the writer, despite the fact that the truth may have been communicated.  Additionally, the environment may not be conducive to communicating what was being felt, due to the sensitive and personal nature of the issue, and the presence of persons in the group that are not part of the regular social circle.

Thoughts within one’s head should be processed, by examining its pros and cons, as well as appropriateness and effects that will generated before they are communicated, because they may be damaging to morale and reduce productivity, future voluntary contributions to group discussions, as well as create animosity and hostility even within family structures.  Instances have been reported of separate meetings among Indian cabinet ministers as well as European members of the clergy which both resulted in serious physical fights that outsiders had to intervene, due to individuals expressing their thoughts on issues that recipients perhaps felt insulted about and retaliated in the manner expressed.

However, one great present day preacher philosophically remark that thoughts are powerful and they can feed the seeds of greatness in the mental womb (Jakes, 2011). The implication here is that when the occasions are appropriate, one may share his or her thoughts to listeners, inclusive of fellow employees, professional compatriots, sportsmen, parishioners or even young students, who may go on to achieve great things in life based on the encounter. It can also be argued that some thoughts individuals have developed during the communication process may not be for the audience present, but for further refinements before practically applying them in pursuit of future success and achievements.

Expressing what is on one’s mind therefore, can be advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on the stage of the thoughts being processed, its appropriateness for the situations, the pros and cons associated, as well as the personality and ability of the recipients to accept constructive criticisms. Thoughts that have more negatives than positives associated with their deliveries should be reserved, while those in the objective views of their communicators, as well as from past experience that will prove beneficial, should be communicated as effectively as possible.

Individuals should also be cognizant continually of the fact that their thoughts are their own until they decide to share it, and sharing may cause them to damage life irrevocable or enhance the success of perhaps generations. They may also in retrospect pace themselves in embarrassing and disappointing situations, and as such should exercise wisdom and objectivity by using all the communications tools available to ensure effective and appropriate transmissions.

Reference

Jakes, T.D. (2011) “T.D. Jakes-Thoughts are Powerful” Online Fellowship www.onlinefellowship.org/2010/18/23/td/-jakes-thoughts-are-powerful/ , 01/22/12