We all do it, don’t we? Each one of us believes we’re experts on something. I know a few people who think they’re experts on everything. I’m pretty sure I’ve landed between the something and the everything category at one time or another.
As an Uber driver and as a life-liver, I’ve often offered my expert testimony. And I have indeed received wisdom from among my 18,000 riders.
There was the New York visitor who lectured me about the backward lifestyle of the Deep South. He started with landmarks in Mobile, including the George Wallace Twin Tunnels. “We would never tolerate that sort of affront in New York!” he exclaimed.
We had a lively discussion for the next thirty minutes. He remained in my car for about fifteen minutes after we reached his destination. To my passenger’s credit, he softened his criticism after he listened to the story of Wallace’s support from the very community he had once opposed.
“Well, maybe Alabama has come a long way, but you’re still backward! I’ll have to think about the things you’ve said.” He was somewhat less sure of his expertise.
Several times, I picked up the father of a local high school football player. Sports and politics provide more “experts” than any other source I can imagine.
Each time I picked up this Dad, he spent the entire ride on the phone with someone. I didn’t have to struggle to listen to the conversation. You know the type I’m talking about. Their whisper is louder than most folk’s yell!
“That @%#$ coach has no idea what he’s doing. Most of the parents support him because they don’t want him to be mad at them! I’m not that type! I’ve watched enough football in my life to know what he’s doing wrong.”
I don’t know whether he is right or wrong. I know this guy’s attitude would make it difficult for him to convince anyone.
Years ago, my wife and I had season tickets to Alabama’s home football games. We reluctantly gave them up so we could be with our children as they participated in various high school sports and other programs. By the way, we’ve never regretted that decision.
We signed up again for season tickets when they had completed their high school years. We had to start over at the bottom of the ladder, and after a year’s wait, we got two tickets in the corner of the stadium. If you’ve been to Bryant-Denny Stadium, you would recognize that the most talked about feature was the ability to be one of the last folks to stare into the blazing sun until sunset.
There are a lot of experts who sit up there. But, without a doubt, one “gentleman” was substantially more vocal than anyone else. He described precisely why the coach’s call was idiotic in graphic detail. I’ve always been amazed that the powers-to-be would assign the worst seats to one of our top coaching advisors. Besides, I’m not sure Nick Saban or any other coach could hear this guy’s wisdom.
But we love our sports and politics precisely because we can be experts without being judged by the consequences of our advice in action.
I’m a baby boomer. I tell you that so that you can have some idea of how long I’ve been on this planet. I work in an atmosphere that includes another generation senior to mine. I consider those older folks experts in their lives and experiences. But I also know that I have the opportunity to learn something from everyone I meet from any age.
I’ve Ubered veterans of many generations who have told the stories of their lives. Expert stories. I’ve listened to single mothers who have found ways to raise children through sacrifice and hardship.
I’ve heard former convicts testify about how they turned their lives around after taking personal responsibility for their situations.
We’ve all heard from other experts in our lives about how different people or “society” caused their problems. Countless people will validate those opinions for them.
I got an Uber call to pick up an older gentleman one afternoon. He was a veteran who had gotten into trouble one night after spending too much time in a bar. He got into a fight and ended up killing another man over a stupid argument.
He sounded like “Red” in Shawshank Redemption. “I wish I could go back and talk to that young man,” He said. “I wish I could change what I did way back then. I was drunk and stupid. The world changed a lot during the time I spent in prison.”
He continued to tell me that he tries to talk to young men today who he sees traveling the same path he chose. He believes some of them listen. After all, he is an expert.
We have more access to wisdom and knowledge than ever before. I spend a lot of time in my car listening to podcasts on various subjects. I will not live long enough to learn everything I want to know.
Even after hearing all the experts, I know I must ultimately apply the expertise to my life. That’s the only thing I can specialize in. Too many of us look to experts for the perfect answer. I’m learning to listen for an answer, not just the answer.
God Bless,
Tommy
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