Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Hypo-Critic

Yesterday articles across the nation highlighted a feud between Tiki Barber, the Giants running back that retired after last season and now does TV commentary for NBC, and Eli Manning, his former quarterback. In a nutshell, Barber said on air that Manning's leadership was "comical," and Manning returned the disapproval through the newspapers.

I sit here wondering if they realize how futile, and perhaps disrespectful and sad, it seems to fight a war of words in the press.

In the next heartbeat, I realize how similar I am.

How different is it, really, when a person speaks badly, sarcastically, angrily, mockingly or condescendingly behind someone's back about their hairdo, skin, clothing, posture, religion, energy level, organizational skills, posture, marital status, spelling, finances, speaking voice, home, height, favorite foods, language, politics, hobbies, leadership, handwriting, hygiene, singing voice, job (or lack thereof), or family?

The cameras aren't rolling. The reporters are absent. But the dignity is the same.

What a great daily goal: Speak well of others who aren't there. Pushing others down makes one merely feel higher. Lifting others up, in time, causes us to be higher.

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