I stood before the group. I did not have notes. The meeting was mine. The question echoing in my mind since the light of the day was simple and direct. What do I want to say?
The question was not open ended. This was not a core dump. I was not here to share my life history or my views on the nuances of doing business. I stood, waiting. It was my opportunity to share the core. It had to be about the now. It had to be about the here.
There are so many things that could be at the core of my view. Important viewpoints. Critical values. Key insights. While each has its place, the question remains. What is core? Do I know? Am I willing to share?
I know that writing simple, direct messages is more difficult than writing extended essays. Distilling one’s thoughts into a concise viewpoint is problematic. One must relax one’s grip on the less important. One must learn to listen to voices on the edges and outside. It is important to realize that one will not see pure echoes of one’s view in others that share your core.
As I reflect on one writer’s core message, I can see one model’s elements. “This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.” (1 John 1.5)
The foundation of my core will link to my words and actions.
The purpose of sharing is to pass. How it is received is outside of my control. The actions that follow are not my responsibility. At the core, I can only share.
Distilling my views in the center is more difficult than it might first appear. It will require that I speak, listen, and reflect. I need to hear the questions others have and answer with transparency. The goal is to share the core.
As I began, I was certain that sharing is priceless. I also know the joy of walking with this community.
