NOT SOON...BE SPECIFIC!

NOT SOON...BE SPECIFIC!

---What if I were to begin by telling you that I heard that there was a glitch in the budget and your next paycheck is going to be delayed. The city is sorry, but they plan to get back to you soon and hope to have this whole matter cleared up. It will be soon...so, do the best you can until it's fixed.

---Like most, you were probably counting on that paycheck to take care of something. Every time you inquire about the status of the paycheck you are told it will be soon. Unless you have enough money socked away, there will come a time in the near future when you will begin to really feel the pinch. The money will become a real necessity.

---I think I have made the point that soon doesn't really cut it. I had a friend in the hospital who was told that the people from a certain church were going to come back soon to see him. This was about 10 am. He started waiting almost right away. At about 11 am he said, ''I wonder where they are?'' It took a few minutes on my part to figure what was going on.

---They had meant that they would come to visit the next time they were in the area. Probably a few weeks from now. The poor guy wanted it to happen right away so he interpreted what they said into an event that would happen right away. This is pretty typical behavior among us humans.

---If you ever had a toothache - relief yesterday, if at all possible, wouldn't be soon enough. If you are the one without the problem, time passes normally. If you have the toothache...each agonizing moment can seem like an eternity. There are many hospital patients who spend a lot of time in that boat. Your understanding of this situation goes up the more you can relate to what I'm saying and have spent time there yourself. Everyone can seem to relate to pain in someway. Even...if only emotionally.

---Most hospital patients have or are dealing with pain in someway. To most patients, time is a bit contorted to begin with.

---The word soon or it's synonyms (directly, shortly, momentarily, right away) are NOT specific and can be downright vague if not followed up. If you're in pain the wait can be something else. In the interest of making things better all the way around, try to BE SPECIFIC and FOLLOW THROUGH! This little word can be the source of much miscommunication between the staff and resident. If attention is paid here and this ''loose end'' was eradicated, both sides would benefit. There would be unity where there once wasn't. Many hospital patients will be very happy you made the adjustment. REMEMBER: NOT SOON...BE SPECIFIC! Be Well.

This is a draft and will, probably, be tweaked in someway!