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Choose your words with care!

Two happy young women having a pleasant conversation
Photo: © Wayhomestudio / Freepik.com

Words are really powerful! They reflect or mirror our thoughts and feelings. So, we have to think about our words, understand our words, watch and weigh our words. Words are containers for power, and so we have to decide what sort of power we want our words to carry. Our words can augment or diminish our level of contentment. They can shape the answers to our prayers and have a positive or negative upshot on our future. One might say that our words are like a movie screen that uncovers what we have been thinking and our attitudes. The saying, “Watch your words or your words might drown you” is very true.

The need to gauge one’s words or utterances is very significant. Every word that comes out from our mouth comes from a thought — whether consciously or unconsciously. All of us had some experience of divulging something out, and also of thinking we said something that we didn’t. If we think happy thoughts, we’ll talk happily. If we think unattractive thoughts, our words will be unattractive, too.

Power of our words

Our tongue can be a weapon of fury or a negotiator of blessing. It has been said that the “tongue” is one of the most exercised muscles of our body. Our tongue reveals what is in our heart! Behind our tongue is our heart, from where good or nefarious assertions come.

Words have the power for good or evil. A good word will build up, strengthen, and encourage us. But a careless word can tear down homes, break hearts, and shatter reputations as they wound, sadden, hurt, and destroy. Words converse louder than our actions.

One of our deepest needs is the need to be appreciated. When we use words of gentleness, positive reception, and appreciation of worth, we communicate love. A slapdash word is thoughtless, lacking in consideration for others, and inconsiderate. Let us talk about what we love and not about what we hate; what is great in our life and not about what’s wrong. Negative comments reach out faster than positive ones! Gautam Buddha rightly said, “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will be influenced by them for good or ill.”

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Shivanand Pandit, based in Goa, is a tax specialist, financial adviser, guest faculty and public speaker.

Shivanand Pandit

Shivanand Pandit, based in Goa, is a tax specialist, financial adviser, guest faculty and public speaker.