Have you ever noticed that when we talk, we often say something, and then, without even a full breath, we immediately follow that up by saying something else that starts with BUT?
Like this: “I really like your new friend, BUT … “
Or this: “I was glad to help out, BUT… “
Maybe it goes like this: “It was a perfect evening, BUT … “
And this one has a sting that just won’t go away … “Of course I love you, BUT … “
I have come to believe that what follows the BUT is what we really mean – so why not start there?
And if that means there would be more silence because we don’t want to lead with the truth without first softening it, well, wouldn’t that silence be worth hearing?
I’m sort of going all English teacher on you here, because as a conjunction, BUT is used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned. And when something is contrasting, it differs strikingly.
Hmmm, let’s break that down like you and I are having a conversation: So, I say something to you and then, in the same sentence, I say something else that is strikingly different … leaving it to you to decide what to believe. You deserve better than that. You deserve the truth. We all do.
Just something to think about.
Thanks for being here.