Words without thought have caused more harm than any devised. We all do it at times and it is always frustrating. The frustration lies in the fact that you can't just take them back. Words, once spoken, are unrestrained. That is the key to this dilemma in the first place, restraint. When we do not restrain ourselves from just blurting something out. I am guilty of just this offense. I have learned over the years throwing more words out there in an attempt to retrieve the first is fruitless. There are times when it is best to remain silent, patiently waiting. An opportunity to ambush those " words " will present itself in time. Until then, an uncomfortable feeling remains. Contrite is the word for that feeling. I meant no harm yet harm was caused.
These words without thought hurt those closest to us the most. That is because they have come to value our thoughts. When we say something hurtful, it cuts deeper than most others. It is almost a betrayal. That is how it feels to the one being hurt. I have been on the receiving end and so draw on that experience in writing about it. The injury was unintended yet painful nonetheless. It can leave one questioning. What is worse it may instill doubt. Doubt implies a lack of faith. We don't want the ones closest to us to ever doubt us, or our sincerity. Words without thought can do that quicker than anything else I know. Thoughtless is a poison. Those words linger and build in potency over time. Kindness is the antidote. Kindness in liberal doses can counteract the words but will never remove the injury. Forgiveness may be forthcoming but that also does not remove the hurt, for either party. It is that , that is the frustration. Nothing one can really do. Speaking or acting without thought. The context is established by the receiver, not the speaker. It may not be what I intended to say, or convey at the moment, but it is what was heard. I didn't think it through. A thoughtless statement. It is a lesson we all need to remember, context is established by the receiver ! It is what you said and how you said it. Be clear and be thoughtful. Speak less and listen more. Words, use them sparingly and judicially.
These words without thought hurt those closest to us the most. That is because they have come to value our thoughts. When we say something hurtful, it cuts deeper than most others. It is almost a betrayal. That is how it feels to the one being hurt. I have been on the receiving end and so draw on that experience in writing about it. The injury was unintended yet painful nonetheless. It can leave one questioning. What is worse it may instill doubt. Doubt implies a lack of faith. We don't want the ones closest to us to ever doubt us, or our sincerity. Words without thought can do that quicker than anything else I know. Thoughtless is a poison. Those words linger and build in potency over time. Kindness is the antidote. Kindness in liberal doses can counteract the words but will never remove the injury. Forgiveness may be forthcoming but that also does not remove the hurt, for either party. It is that , that is the frustration. Nothing one can really do. Speaking or acting without thought. The context is established by the receiver, not the speaker. It may not be what I intended to say, or convey at the moment, but it is what was heard. I didn't think it through. A thoughtless statement. It is a lesson we all need to remember, context is established by the receiver ! It is what you said and how you said it. Be clear and be thoughtful. Speak less and listen more. Words, use them sparingly and judicially.
No comments:
Post a Comment