Be Careful What You Write...or Say...or Do...

...for you never know how you might influence someone, even years later.

I was stunned to receive the following email over the weekend from a long time friend and former colleague. Mike--I've redacted his last name to protect his anonymity--and I were in Vietnam at about the same time. But, unlike me, he was drafted into the Army. He is an extremely successful accountant in Chicago, a published author many times over, and is widely recognized as an expert in his field.

Here's the text of his email:

Many, many years ago, I made an old-fashioned paper copy of your article. Even though I placed it in a clear plastic, three-ring sleeve, it (like me) has become a bit worn around the edges with the passage of time.

I came across it while cleaning my desk today. I stopped to read it again. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for writing this piece, but whether I did or not, thank you.

Long ago, it helped a SP5 from HHC, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav overcome a mild case of survivor guilt that had lingered for too long. Thank you old friend, thank you very much. (Emphasis mine).

Kind regards,

Mike

The article that Mike is referring to entitled, "What Dan Quayle Missed", was published by Crain's Chicago Business in 1988. Here is a link to the article:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-dan-quayle-missed-paul-a-dillon/

Like I said, it is an important to be reminded that you never know how what you write...or say... or do—or, what you didn’t write...or say... or do, when you should have, influences someone—sometimes many, many years later.