A friend of mine (who at the time was a member of Congress) once said, “there are no such things as happy endings.” At the time we were seated at the funeral of another friend – one who died young, by today’s standards. He alluded to the notion that all “goes south” at one point or another and ends with destruction and always death.

The ending.

It happens to us all.

And then most recently I noted that two kind folks (with whom I had worked for many years) had eventually fallen in love and married – the posted photos display vitality, happiness and sheer bliss. Who knows if during the many years we all worked together they ever anticipated that they would be joined for life? A new beginning and a happy life ahead.

And then there are those individuals who conduct themselves as if they will never have to confront the parties (upon who they took advantage) again. There is a certain bravado, which wields itself, ugly.

Or as Will Rogers once said “It’s not what he doesn’t know that bothers me, it’s what he knows for sure that just ain’t so.”

There are those people incapable of realizing that we all might live to see another day, together. And in that day we live with our actions. But what about being decent, just because? Just because it’s the right thing to do and not in anticipation of what we or whom we might need or want?

What about that?

Communications and behavior have consequences. My mother instructed that once the words left our mouths, there was no taking them back (and this was pre-pre-pre internet.) This was in the time when we wrote letters, talked to one another and picked up the phone.

Amp that up a bit for today. The words leave our mouths (and if we are famous) end up on some blog somewhere and maybe with an attached video.

Before we get to that end part, there is the living in between. There is the “treat one another like we each want to be treated” and the basic human kindness. We often get caught up in the transaction and become uber focused on the now and success – giving little thought to the ramifications.

In the world of regulatory communications, the concept of “untended consequences” is touted. Such as did this couple ever think that there workplace meeting would end up in matrimony? Or did one ever think that the person whom they disrespected would be their boss someday? Or, when our lobbyists ensured that the playing field was level for us, some other entrants emerged – and – we then had intense competition.

Yet between the first meeting, first words, initial spark, idea or thought – there is the living and behavior part. So maybe, just maybe it might be well and a bit wise to be human first – to ensure that the words that leave our mouths are the ones with which we are prepared to be wed.

And like mom said, be prepared to live with the consequences.