Taking a Moment

I find that the patience required to ���take a moment��� and sort something out in my mind is extremely freeing.�� I used to feel that a bright person, a competent person���like a good military commander���should be capable of split-second decisions.�� Just as if lives were hanging in the balance on a field of battle, I always thought that any delay was a sign of uncertainty and weakness.�� The first time I heard the words ���Let me get back to you on that��� come out of my mouth I was momentarily mortified.