Mary Lax

Thoughtful Times: for Speaking Harsh Truths with Kindness Mary Lax

Writing this book is my way of sharing what I've learned in the course of my life on earth-some very unique life experiences and some most of us have in common. I believe it's this information that ought to be shared more freely by all of us, to enable the creation of better ways than wars and prejudices to take care of personal and collective interests and responsibilities. It's not possible to make life improvements unless we fully own what is and isn't working well. It's also not possible to obtain and provide needed help unless we share what assistance is lacking and available. As a favorite professor insisted at the start of every class, "Our sickness is revealed in our secrets-we must uncover and study what we keep so well hidden before it's possible to cure it" There are two rules essential to assuring this sharing is productive and non-hurtful. Those key rules are truthfulness and kindness. The stories in this book represent what happens when these rules are well applied and when they aren't, to encourage careful management of all interactions so that all participants are treated with due respect. There are chapters, as well, that encourage better understanding and use of human emotions and behavior generally.