Choke

Choke: (n) an action or sound of a person or animal having or seeming to have difficulty in breathing.

Webster certainly afforded us an adequate definition for “choke,” but the one that comes to my mind has to do with the “give-up, check-out
and throw-in-the-towel” instinct which permeates our species.

Sometimes we get just as comfortable with pity cheers as congratulatory shouts.

You know pity cheers:

  • “It’s okay. You did your best.”
  • “I don’t know if anyone could have done that.”
  • “You’ll get them next time.”
  • “God sees your effort.”
  • “Who knows? Maybe you made a difference without knowing it.”

If you ever allow your ears to get used to hearing these pitiful exhortations, you might just find yourself living in a damned condition, without yet being deceased.

Choking is what human beings do when they try to swallow too much, whether it’s physical chunks of steak, lies or claims to fame.

This is a world that demands evidence, not confidence. Those who try to live off of confidence eventually choke under the pressure and end up looking like losers, even though we dress it up with bunting and invite a small brass band to cheer things along.

There’s a simple principle in life: overestimating your ability is not a sign of faith.

Faith starts with something substantial, and based upon that realization, is willing to carefully speculate on how much further things can be taken.

You don’t get many “chokes” before you die. You may not physically die, but the love, tenacity, gentleness and appreciation of your friends and loved ones is suffocated.

 

 

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Bandwagon

Bandwagon: (n) a particular activity or cause that has suddenly become fashionable or popular.Dictionary B

Jumping on the bandwagon sounds a little bit too energetic.

I need that bandwagon to stop long enough that I have the chance to check the tires, consider the seating possibilities and make sure I’m fully aware of the itinerary.

This is why I become comically frustrated with the Republicans and Democrats. Often I even change their names to the Repudiators and the Demonstrators.

  • For it seems that the conservative approach to life is an attempt to avoid progress for fear that it will taint tradition.
  • And the liberal insight is the “what the hell, let’s try it”–with no preparation for how this new activity might be counterproductive to the human race.

I do not favor bandwagons.

First of all, having played a musical instrument in my life, doing so on a moving object is much less tuneful.

Secondly, popularity only requires cheering and applauding, not necessarily thinking.

So when the bandwagon comes through town drumming up new business, I always ask myself three quick questions:

  1. Has history already proven that what we’re about to try is stupid?
  2. Is this an attempt to improve us as people, or just excuse our inadequacy?
  3. And finally, is it flexible enough that when parts of it are proven wrong, it will evolve and change instead of dig its heels in, continuing the failure?

When those three questions are asked and satisfied, the bandwagon is well worth jumping upon–or in my case, finding an easy point of entrance … and gingerly climbing aboard.

 

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Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) —  J.R. Practix

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