“A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the
tongue you may never get over.” - Benjamin Franklin
***
You’ve heard, “Ready, Aim, Fire.” It is a sequence of words instructing one who
is about to discharge a weapon. Because
the weapon has the potential to create such a devastating effect, one must be
poised, focused and deliberate.
Have you heard of, “Ready, Fire, Aim?” It’s a phenomenon of firing a weapon without
taking aim. In this case the weapon is
thy mouth and words the ammunition. “Ready,
Fire, Aim” is the epitome of reckless endangerment.” When one fires off at the mouth without
thinking of the consequences, the effects can be devastating; feelings get hurt,
emotions run high, and relationships get ruined. Those who engage in “Ready, Fire, Aim” are constantly
engaged in damage control. They fire off
at the mouth and spend a significant amount of time trying to repair the damage
that was done. Sad to say, in some
instances, the damage cannot be repaired.
The words that were used will leave a permanent scar.
Think before you speak!
Be careful with your choice of words.
Words are powerful. They can build-up
or destroy a person. They can start a
fight or end a fight. They can complement
or criticize. Words carry the power to do
just about anything!
If “Ready, Fire, Aim” has caused you angst, here’s a little
advice: before you speak, employ what’s called the “Triple Filter Test.” The “Triple Filter Test” was devised by
Socrates and was designed to filter the sending and receiving of information. In its simplest form, the “Triple Filter Test”
requires that any communication be factually true, of good nature, and
beneficial to one or all parties. One
can evade the adverse effects of “Ready, Fire, Aim,” just by employing a simple
test, or in other words, “thinking before speaking.”
Frank Lloyd Wright once said “I'm all in favor of keeping
dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.” His quote really speaks to the power of words
we choose. Yes, words can be dangerous
weapons. So choose your words wisely. Use words that heal not hurt; words that accept
not reject; words that love not hate.
Words are powerful because they have the power to create. The words we use are the manifestation of the
thoughts we have created. Words create
your reality. Think words aren’t
powerful; The Good Book tells us that God spoke “Let there be light and there
was light.” Now, I’d say that’s pretty
powerful!
It’s your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD
