Today we’re going to exercise the strongest muscle you have – your tongue. We haven’t been able as a society to tame it yet, but today you and I will work on it.
For today, I want you to be mindful/intentional of every word that comes out of your mouth. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Will it comfort/ease/help, or will it hurt, criticize and tear down? Is it something you would say in front of the person you’re discussing? Is it soothing, like balm on a wound, or is it a verbal bullet that sears through the soul like fire?
Just for today, for this one day only, say only something that will be kind… sweet… calming… use your words like a cozy warm blanket to envelope the spirit of everyone you meet. Wrap up your words like precious treasures with cheer, reassurance, humor that isn’t sarcastic or at someone’s expense. Refrain from any cursing or off-color remarks.
Even work on the tone of your voice – keep it soft, warm and loving. Cushion your volume with a gentle spirit. Often speaking softer causes people to listen more and pay attention, especially if you are one who relies on communication via yelling and repetition (i.e., nagging).
Find words of respect and encouragement for your husband/significant other, words of love for your children and friends, words of support for your coworkers and people you meet throughout the day. Surprise a stranger with a kind word, a word of thanks or praise. And if you have been using silence as a weapon, melt it with courage to be the first to speak – in love.
The power you wield with your words is more influential than you can imagine. Lydia Snider wrote that each day the average person will say 2,250 words to 7.4 other individuals. Will yours hurt or heal? Use them well. They may make all the difference to one person’s life today.
Blessings,
Linda
What beautiful thoughts in such a lovely post. Speaking softly has always been such a struggle for me, growing up in a very LOUD Irish-Italian family. 'Cushion your volume with a gentle spirit.' A difficult lesson that I continually work on -- daily.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda for this reminder and lesson to us all about intentionally talking tenderly to one another. Through this blog, you keep us fit physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually!