Tim McNary, the founder of WatchDawgs,Inc. impresses me more and more every time I see him.

A Scenario:
After the WatchDawgs Banquet last night, many of the volunteers are over at my house, talking, laughing, drinking, etc. Around 11:00, I come into my room. It is dark except for the light from the computer screen. At my desk, in my chair, sits Tim McNary, his face oddly lit in a vibrent blue light. Howie, Alison, and Becky are sitting on the bed listening. And on the floor in front of my chair sits Heather. She is sitting at Tim's feet, looking up at him, and telling him her problems. She speaks for around five mintues, then entirety of which Tim is silent, listening, looking down at her. After she finishes telling her story and asking for advise, Tim takes perhaps half a second in thought. No time at all, really. Then he tells her what an amazing person she is. He lists off for her all of her good qualities, hitting the nail on the head each time.

It was like watching a disciple at the feet of Christ; or a greek in the polis with Socrates. Heather is a strong person, a willful person and one who, in as far as I can tell, has no issues at all with confidence or self-worth. Yet she sat at Tim's feet and poured her heart out. She spoke of the challenges she had ahead, of her misgivings about how to resolve them. I have seen such inspiration in someone's face. Never. In all the counseling I've done or sat in on, never have I seen such unblemished confidence in the advisor.

Yet at the same time, what impresses me most is his response. He didn't answer her problems, he just found the courage in her and pointed it out. He uplifted her without reservation. The pure selflessness of his commentary are enough to make it noteworthy. But what's even more is that he was so very right. He didn't just compliment her. While that would have been a good thing to do, it was far short of this. Tim looked with a keen eye and pointed out the truth for all to see in an undeniable manner.

What wouldn't I give, not to be able to exude such inspiration, but to be able to give true encouragement.

A person's capacity for pain is staggering. rephrase... A person's capacity for causing pain is staggering. Are we all just miserable sadists, looking to inflict as much pain upon others as we from time to time feel? What kind of a people would do such a thing. A race of the Happiest Sadist. When we are hurt, our first inclination is never to forgive but rather to lash out and enact revenge on those who hurt us. And for what? That we might both revel in misery?

There is so much beauty in the world. So much love and so much goodness to live for, and yet humanity defines itself through pain. Through our own pain and through the pain of others. We glorify the wars which we have won and the men who killed the most "other men" in the wars.

I guess I just don't understand why we have words like "sorry" and "apologize" in our vocabulary if they don't mean anything when used. I can apologize to somebody 20 times, but if they can't hear me than my words do no more good than a clanging gong.