You’ve been on the edge of your seat.
Clicking Refresh on your email.
Waiting with Baited breath for it’s arrival.
And now, it’s here!
The one, The only, Kevin Presenting “Thoughts”!
It pains me to say so, but presentation is everything. Or at least, it’s everything at the gateway.
By that I mean presentation is point of entry for ideas. It’s the lubricant of social discourse. It’s the icing on the cake. You may still have cake, but without the presentation element of the icing you’re lacking the engagement and attention of the potential cake eaters.
You always hear about the pearly gates of heaven.
No one discusses the rusty chain-link fence of heaven.
Why? Because when the idea came up, people stopped listening. Why would I want to go into an exclusive club that can’t afford to maintain it’s fences.
I have always wanted to live in a world where it was “the thought that counts”. I imagine a world where my efforts will be judged solely on their effectiveness and merit. But they aren’t. The surface of the actions is far more powerful than I like to give credit.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling you all a bunch of shallow ne’er-do-wells. Quite the contrary, if you’re reading this I can consider you a person of discernment and distinction. Thanks in large part to my ego and self image. None the less you are amazing. But you are also critical thinking and observant. You judge a book by it’s cover in a value sense. Determining if the author’s intent is worth deeper consideration. Presentation is the gateway.
I believe largely that we live in the world we create.
Sometimes the world around us adjust to our expectations of it.
Other times, the world around us filters through our mental image and we see only what we expect to see.
Regardless of the cause, the world largely turns out to manifest my impressions of it.
And I have over the years observed a double standard.
As mentioned, I want the world to judge me for my merit and thoughts. While at the same time, I often judge the world for it’s presentation.
Presentation isn’t about shiny flashing lights and magic tricks. Though these do catch the eye. But it is not just about spit and polish. There is more to presentation than simply putting on a good show. It’s about authenticity and sincerity. Does the presentation mesh with the presenter?
So with this thought in mind I would remind you that it’s okay to judge a book by it’s cover. We’ve all done it and we will continue to do so. And it is also the thought that counts. Which implies that our superficial judgements need to go a little deeper, but judgements will still be made.
Remember to practice the grace that you need, on the people that you meet.
And keep on thinking critically.
Namaste,
Kevin
