Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. Napolean Hill
Words are powerful. We speak them everyday when we need to and when we do not need to. Sometimes the words come from within your heart. Sometimes the words come from your mind. Sometimes you do not even know where the heck they even came from. Yet you end up speaking them nevertheless. Words, whether intentional or non intentional can carry an energy which causes disruptions to the equilibrium of relationships, perceptions and beliefs.
Sticks and stones break only bones, they heal so fast. But words destroy and kill the soul till nothing is left at last. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
Everyone who is reading this post including yours truly can remember at least one occasion where you said certain words and would like to go back in time to repair the repercussions from those words that were uttered. Words are powerful because they can either inspire or bore. If you are the person speaking or being spoken to, it must be remembered that being at the receiving end of a volley of words is not exactly a good feeling. As the lynching by words continues, you either fight or flight. Like battering rams being used to open the walls of fortifications in war, words leave your soul wounded and bruised.
Memories are powerful just as nostalgia is sweet. Yet words spoken last forever with the venom from its pointed arrows still remains and never leaves you. Words once spoken cannot be taken back yet what has to be said, would need to be said because the soul is ever restless when denied the opportunity to express itself. As Rabbi Joseph mentions, when the soul expresses itself, little does it know the aftermath of what it has wrought on itself or others.
How do you heal yourself from lynching by words?
- It is easy to say let it go and let it be, but time is the number one healer for wounds caused by words.
- I believe in being proactive and intentionally avoiding circumstances that may make you say something that you may regret later.
- Always vent yourself either alone or with your spouse or anyone who you can trust before any confrontation. It is always good to lose some steam so that in the end, the effect might be minimal.
- As a friend remarked recently, invest in the right relationships and terminate any that is of no help to you.
- As the five fingers of your own hand is different, you do not have to be compatible with everyone and it is imperative to understand the following:
- 25% of people you meet: will never like you;
- 25% of people you meet: won’t like you, but could be persuaded to;
- 25% of people you meet: will like you but could be persuaded not to;
- 25% of people you meet: will like you and will always be there for you.” Joel Osteen
This is an easy stat. One needs to focus and invest on only that 25% to have a happy and meaningful life. That limits the words that needed to be spoken and the energy that needs to be expended in maintaining relationships. Your chances at being lynched by words have gone down significantly. I can vouch for the above tips to ensure that good memories from good words may dominate your quest to go up in life.
Photo Credit: skb_inspirations via Compfight cc
Tenny Thomas 