I am reminded of just how quickly our spirits can be crushed. An ill spoken word can pummel us into a dark mood. This happened to both myself and another recently, at two separate times, over two separate issues. One incident that affected us both, brought some anguish to the other person but didn’t have much effect on me. The other incident only included me, and bothered me. Some words, whether meant to or not, can stab the heart and spirit and bring emotional pain.
The recent experiences reminded me that no two of us react exactly alike at a perceived attack. Where one is wounded another lets it roll off. The longer I live, and observe this, the more I watch my words and the more I consider who I’m speaking to. Though I know it has happened, I do not wish to hurt others with my words, anymore than I want thoughtless words to hurt me.
Too often we don’t think before speaking. We offend, or invalidate, without giving it a thought. We may speak when we’re angry, or speak carelessly. We’ve all done it and all been hurt by it, at one time or another.
I know no remedy for taming our tongues, except to take account of our thoughts and manage them well. The purer our thoughts, the purer our words and actions. In a world where words run rampant and damage is done, taking time to think first and guard our tongues is a worthwhile effort.