Bridge Over Troubled Water
To the tune of the famous Simon and Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Water. Deals with actor-observer bias.
| New Lyrics | Original Lyrics |
Shake my head, |
When you're weary, |
| When I'm overworked. Exhausted. When night-time comes too soon You can't be found. You turn away - say - I don't like you. But that is not the truth. I'm so weary, tired and hungry. Give me food to eat. I'm so weary, tired and hungry. Sleep would be a treat. |
When you're down and out, When you're on the street, When evening falls so hard I'll comfort you. I'll take your part. When darkness comes And pains is all around, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. |
| Sail on, empathy. Sail on by. When eyes are shut and hearts No longer beat. Don't want to see When you need a friend. They're sailing right on by. Need a bridge over troubled water. Jesus, help me be. Need a bridge over troubled water. Jesus, help me be. |
Sail on silvergirl, Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine. If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind. Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind. Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind. |
© 2007, Jean V. Dickson
The Rant
The lyrics tell a story. For several years I was overworked and had no time to spare or put my feet up. I probably had opportunity to take a few hours off only once every three months. No time for TV, no time for friends. 90+ hour weeks the norm. Chronic health issues on top of all this.
Two good friends knew this. And yet, after this trying time had ended and I finally had time to invite the couple over for dessert, the wife turned to me and said, "Oh, we wondered why you haven't had us over for the longest time. We thought you didn't like us anymore."
To say I was astounded is like saying a rooster crows. I had told this couple over and over again that I had too much work, that I was exhausted, that I didn't have time for clients and bringing in money because church work was taking up too much time, that it was all work and no play ....
I felt like saying, "People, open your eyes! Unstop your ears! Thaw your frozen hearts!" And I thought, "Why should I be inviting you over? You've got way more free time. I'm surprised you didn't ask me over to help lighten my load by not having to cook a meal!"
And yet, I know I'm guilty of the same blindness. And I've been deaf in the same way at times.
It's a lesson we all need to learn. When people do something that offends you, stop looking for motives. Stop making judgments. Instead, look for understanding. Instead of saying, "He's lazy!" or "She's trying to get revenge!" or "She doesn't like us!" say to yourself, "She's a reasonable person. What am I missing?"
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Jean V. Dickson is a Canadian-based entrepreneur who puts creativity's ZING into training, corporate communications and church worship. Visit her Christian ministry websites, www.fatsheep.org and www.worshipzing.com. To jazz up your corporate PowerPoint presentations, visit The PowerPoint Joint at www.PowerPointjoint.com.
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