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The Best Self

Comments praising
Responses to a crisis
Embody the assumption
That crises somehow
Bring out the best in people.
 
I disagree.
 
Certainly a crisis is a challenge.
It offers an opportunity
To be one's best self.
 
But after having observed
So many more deeply entrench themselves
In old and demonstrably ineffective
Responses to crises,
I conclude:
 
In a crisis you behave
Not as your best self
But as your true self.
 
Those whose true selves
Are their best selves
Are the ones who, after the crisis
Instead of justifying more of the same
Ponder a bit
And plan for what to do differently
Next time around.



7 January 2003

by Bill Cattey