Have you ever said something you immediately wish you could take back? I have. More than once I’m embarrassed to admit.
I think a mattress store in Texas knows what I’m talking about.
Now, my undisciplined words have never been 9/11 themed. They never made their way into a commercial for a mattress shop. (You’d like to think there are some things that are just universally understood as off limits…) The character of the content doesn’t matter, though. The impact does. My words still proved to be hurtful in those times. You never know what somebody is dealing with. What I thought was funny was actually somebody’s past or present. Sometimes making a joke “for” someone becomes making a joke for yourself. This is how senseless things are said in the pursuit of a laugh. This is how you encroach on others while thinking it’s acceptable. Worse yet is when you do know what someone’s going through. We don’t see a lot of this one but it’s scary when it happens. Especially in a mattress commercial.
In the world of words spoken, there are no take backs. There’s only drowning with more to dilute the burn of the first sour word. Words have energy. Some endure longer than others. Some seem to have a renewable power source like something out of a government test lab hidden at the bottom of Lake Superior. These words seem to live forever. (You could also say these words have memory.) When positively charged, these words serve us well. When not, they can hotwire your thinking and cause you to live a shallow existence.
It’s regrettable that these things seem to be best learned through experience. More regrettable is the process of learning them. First, that we say them to others. Second, that we believe them to be true.
Demand more from your words.
Speak them to create and restore.
You’ll be loved by all for all will know they’re loved by you.*
*Disclaimer: Some folks will still attempt to harsh your mellow.
