Before You Speak
In this week’s spotlight I wish to remind us all of an idea that I have posted in my office, one that unfortunately I sometimes forget. The title to the picture in my office is THINK. The word is used as an acronym encouraging us to think before we speak. As such, the “T” stands for true—is what you’re about to say true? It’s not that hard or it shouldn’t be, but studies reveal the fact that all of us lie. It may be that we slightly exaggerate something and it can be that we just plain make something up. It really takes guarding ourselves from this one because most of us established this pattern when we were very young.
Helpful?
The “H” in THINK represents the question, “Is what we’re about to say helpful?” Now this for me can be much more difficult than the former. I find that I often say things that are truthful but perhaps not so helpful. I may find myself reporting on a conversation where a radio guest spoke non-sense and dribble. This is a short failing of my own and one I intend to correct, and it’s really the why behind today’s spotlight. If you listen to my show, Provocative Enlightenment, you will find that I still ask the tough questions but I will no longer point out the inconsistencies and the like—that’s for you to do.
Inspiring?
Now, back to THINK. The “I” stands for Inspiring. Is what you’re about to say inspiring? This too is an issue where I admit difficulty. Some things in our world simply aren’t inspiring but I do try to find a context that wraps the subject in possibilities that are inspiring. This one may be my greatest challenge! It seems that watching people get taken advantage of, or played with like they are just tiny gears in a larger machine, and/or treated like expendable units of gross production, and so forth just irks me to the point that I sometimes want to scream to the masses: WAKE UP!
Necessary?
Okay, the “N” in THINK refers to necessary. Is what you’re about to say necessary? Certainly not all of our conversations are necessary, but if you’re about to say something that might be the slightest bit negative, then this question is a great one to remember. This reminder shows me that just because you are aware of something does not mean you have to show everyone that you are.
Kind?
Finally, the “K” stands for kind. Is what you are about to say kind? In my opinion, this one is the most important, even above not lying. There are times when a little white lie is much kinder than the truth! Kindness is in diminishing supply nowadays. Texting, posting, and the like tend to fail to express our true feelings as often as not, and our society at large has become more hostile and less civil in many areas of our life. As such, the vitriol that one can find on sites like Facebook can astound us; but then we listen to our would-be leaders using profanities, expressing guttural references, and treating one another like they were trash. The dignity of the past seems lost in today’s world of instant gratification, sensation, and disposability.
So, today’s message is THINK before you speak. I will do my best and hope that you will join me.
As always, thanks for the read and I appreciate your feedback.
Eldon Taylor
Provocative Enlightenment
NY Time Bestselling Author of Choices and Illusions
www.eldontaylor.com