I remember when this talk was given. I remember thinking..what a nice talk, I should remember to speak kindly to everyone. And then I moved on. I fell into the trap so many others have also fallen into.
I have, especially in the past several years, been exactly what he described. I used sarcasm as humor. I gossiped. I used biting, passive aggressive words. My tongue turned into a sharp dagger, pulled out far too often.
It wasn't constant. I still was generally kind and compassionate, and I never spread vicious rumors. And I rationalized. I kept lots of secrets, and I told myself that made the gossiping..or "information gathering" ok. I told myself, people knew I was joking when I teased them. And it became habit. Became who I was. But I was rationalizing.
Then I got a taste of my own medicine. People I called friends made fun of me for any unintelligent thing said, called me names, and treated me with disrespect. And what would I do? Give a half smile or forced laugh, while inside, my stomach was turned in knots and my heart received another crack. It was happening all around me. It seemed that everyone wanted to jump in on the fun. The more it happened to me, the more I noticed it happening to others in the group. And I would again give that half smile and sit silently.
Anyone who has been reading my blog in the past month or so will know that I have been thinking about this a lot. This talk came to my mind through this thinking process. Its hard to hear such a firm chastisement that is clearly specially designed for me. But I have decided to take it to heart. And use it to motivate me. I want to create positive environments, where people are encouraged and free to be the best versions of themselves. I want to be kind and not make fun at the expense of others.
And today I want to make a little bit of a challenge. I have said I write on this blog not only to entertain, but also to make people think. To put them in the shoes of someone else and develop even more empathy for others.
Think about a time you were treated badly. Think of a time someone called you a derogatory name. Ever been called a Whore, a Slut or worse? Have you ever heard someone else called this, even if joking? Did you find it very funny? Did you feel very much like laughing? And even if you did laugh, did you feel just a little wrong about it?
We have the ability to be so kind. And at the same time so caustic.
So here is what I am going to do. I'm going to be more kind. I'm going to stop gossiping. I'm not going to use snide, rude comments. I'm not going to use others as the butts of jokes.
I'm going to let my tongue be the tongue of an angel.
Will you join me?
Its not going to be easy. I know I will slip up.
But I am going to try my hardest...until my trying becomes doing.
Try with me??? Lets lift people up...not push them down.
Its Wednesday.....so what do you think?
Comment! I'd love to hear from you!
