Maybe
Maybe May is a great month to consider the benefits and
detriments of using the word maybe. Some advantages are: giving myself time
before making a rash decision (“Maybe I’ll buy this new car but first let me
think about it.”); letting someone know I care even if getting together now
isn’t realistic (“Maybe we’ll have a chance to visit this summer.”); keeping
myself from absolute dejection (“Maybe next year my team will win the championship.”);
offering encouragement to another (“Maybe your friend didn’t realize how much
you wanted that gift.”).
Yet maybe has its pitfalls too: leading someone on
dishonestly (“Maybe I’ll take you to Disneyworld if you’re good.”); withholding
a decision because you don’t want to be the bad guy (“Maybe we’ll let you know
next week if you’ve got the job.”); using it as a stalling technique (“Maybe
I’ll be able to come to the baby shower.”); being passive aggressive when you
know you won’t follow through (“Maybe I’ll be able to fix that broken window next week sometime.”). May this May be a time to use maybe wisely!
If you waffle with the word maybe and end up
disappointing others, you may want help in being more clear and courageously
honest. Call Des Moines Pastoral Counseling
Center at 515-274-4006 to meet with a counselor.