Saying less is definitely saying more. Sometimes saying nothing at all is even the best approach.
It’s been a while since I posted. I hadn’t intended on taking a break, yet again, and it’s not that I didn’t have anything to say, because I did.
It occurred to me today as I contemplated a blog post topic that sometimes saying less is more.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people use words carelessly and don’t seem to realize the effect their words have on others. Many don’t consider, or want to acknowledge perhaps, that there are some of us who take words and how they are used very seriously.
Yes, I am one of the many people who listen to (or read) carefully the words people use and how they actually are being said and then derive the intended meaning from them. Is there anything wrong with that? No, I don’t believe so. Does that make me vulnerable to people? Maybe it does. We are all different and some of us may find it easier to let things ‘roll off our backs’ than others. Many of us don’t believe that words are just words and that we should not take them too seriously. I think words deserve a lot more respect than that.
It bothers me to no end when words are thrown around carelessly towards others, comments are posted on social media without thought as to whom they may affect or hurt, and that it seems everyone has a “right” to speak first and think later. Yes, we are all entitled to our thoughts and opinions, but not at the cost of hurting others or attempting to make them feel badly about their successes or things beyond their control. And “jokes” are only funny when both people see them as so (just because a ‘just kidding’ is added doesn’t make hurtful things ok to say).
Sadly, many of us that these words and comments are directed towards take these things directly to heart. We process and re-process the words, comments, and statements over in our minds as a way of trying to understand why they were said and how to deal with how they have made us feel. Even those who shouldn’t matter that much to us (you know the ones who wouldn’t jump puddles for you) have a way of affecting us with their words, whether we want them to or not. We may try to say that we don’t care, but in reality we do. Does that give them unlimited power over us? I don’t believe so. Some of us just may feel more deeply and be more sensitive than others, a difference which is to be respected not controlled or abused.
I realize that this blog post echoes many of the thoughts and perspectives that I have shared over the last three years, but I felt that they could bear some repeating.
Think first, speak only after much considered thought.
If it isn’t positive, productive, or true, don’t say it.
Words can hurt just as much as sticks and stones and can do even more damage.
Not everyone feels, thinks, or believes the same things that you do. Respect those differences.
You truly don’t know the battles or successes that people face each day, especially when you haven’t bothered to try to get to know them. Refrain from passing judgment.
Not everyone receives and interprets information the same way that others might. Some people just don’t know. Some just may not understand.
It is more important to be kind than it is to be right. Being right doesn’t make you a better person.
We were put on this earth to help one another, not to compete with or to be better than one another.
Use your words to help and to heal. Choose them wisely.
writingfortheloveofit 