Candid Conversations

Last Wednesday, October 1, 2025, I had a candid conversation at 0800 in the morning while standing in line waiting for the Post Office to open.

It was at somewhat of a surreal moment that I realized in life, we will meet people from different cultures anywhere.

I also realized that the people we meet always have a story to tell.

Today, I will tell a story of elderly, small Hawaiian woman who has a super big heart.

Imagine someone weighing less than 100 pounds and very petite.

As she and I waited patiently for the local post office to open, she made a statement, “Can you believe it, we are already in the month of October, where has time has flown by so quickly.”

Because I’m always curious about people and have learn to properly ask so that I don’t insult anyone, I then asked her politely where she was from, as she responded “Hawaii.”

From that moment on, we were in steady conversation for about ten minutes, passing the time holding candid conversations.  We waited patiently for the person to unlock the door.

I decided it was time to head back home, being 15 minutes had already passed.  Although the lights were on, the doors remained locked, and no one ever came to open them.

My friend, on the other hand, had four large mailers which she needed to mail and decided to wait for them to open; being a retired person with plenty of time to waste, at least today.

It was through that candid conversation that she told me about being retired and her recent trip to Hawaii, which was somewhat like the one I had experienced during the month of August 2025.  My trip to Pennsylvania had an unexpected 11-hour delay, while her trip was a 24-hour delay, having been put up in a hotel because of a seat belt malfunction.

As I walked away, I thought about her comments tied to patience that she told me about the Hawaiian Gods, as it would not be good to complain.

I then thought about a compliment that was given to me by one of my friends, who said I never complain when asked how I am doing.

It’s through these candid conversations that we build on our character and let others see how Christ or our Deity who lives within us.

I witnessed Christ in her and her faith through her actions.

How we show up each day is up to us.

We all have met people who have nothing good to say, regardless of how well things are going.

They can always find fault with something, which makes me grateful that my emotional intelligence is regulated towards better self-awareness.

It’s my reminder of a quote I’ve seen that says, “You can complain that roses have thorns or rejoice that thorns have roses.”

When we all woke up last Wednesday, October 1, 2025, knowing there were going to be some candid conversations about the recent Government shutdown.

We all know the implications when organizations go on strike; now, many are thinking about the Government shutdown as the effects are felt globally.

The candid conversation that we were supposed to have on September 30, 2025, failed, and as a result, we continue to live in a divided country.

I’ve said plenty, I believe, to allow you to think about holding candid conversations with others concerning our country.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Kim Scott: “Communication is the No.1 trait that leads to higher levels of success, yet hardly anyone invests time and resources to becoming a better communicator.”

Today, my challenge to you is to think about the candid conversations you are having and how well you are communicating with the other person.  Have you invested time and resources in becoming a better communicator?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/candid-conversations/