The World According to Joe

“Imagining something is better than remembering something.”   John Irving

My friend Joe and I meet up every few months just to catch up.  Joe's successfully retired now but used to own his own mortgage brokerage.  Over the course of writing and rewriting loans we became good friends.

Joe's a fascinating guy.  Very cerebral, mild-mannered, topical and funny.  Not big on getting on his soap box about things but always has a thoughtful opinion.

Most all of our ka-tet's are about catching up on family, life, times, current events, et al.  No agendas or debate, just a nice couple of hours talking.

However, every now and again he'll take me completely off guard. Like the time he casually mentioned that he was writing a book.  A religious book.  About what it takes to get into Heaven.  Now Joe certainly never struck me as an Atheist, but neither did he strike me as being Religious. But as he described his beliefs that led to wanting to write a book I realized that he's not just a Believer , but a deeply devout and religious Believer.

Then there was the time that he, once again casually, mentioned that he and his wife was going to move away.  "Where", I asked, assuming Florida or Arizona.  "Costa Rica or Panama.  Probably Panama."  he offered.  Then went ahead to explain how he feels America has lost it's way and is off the tracks to the point that getting it back on is probably not possible.  No wild-eyed, arm waving, everyone must listen, we're all doomed theatrics.  Just a calm, this is my plan, I don't expect anyone else to follow or even notice approach.

So many people, inside and outside of business, feel that if you don't speak loudly and repeatedly that you won't get anyone's attention.  Joe proves otherwise.  Joe's approach is that IF and WHEN the opportunity to speak comes you must be prepared with thoughtful, intellectual material that you can articulate and defend. 

When taking a non-traditional approach - a roadmap for getting into Heaven being a prime example - you realize some things.  One, a lot of people aren't going to buy in.  Two, you probably cannot offer up any empirical proof.  Three, the louder your proclamation and the higher your soapbox is in direct disproportion to how much people will listen and at least try to understand.

So, maybe the more obvious and provable the point - 1 + 1 = 2 - the more you can get away with higher decibel arguments.  But the more esoteric and nebulous the point the more calm and measured the argument must be.

This, of course, does not apply to lawyers and politicians....