Why you should pause before you speak

Words come out naturally to most of us and we tend to say them just as they are or as they come to us. Our world is filled with words of encouragement, hatred, ego, greed and even death (literally). On many occasions, our words are uttered with no conscious thought and without weighing the consequences.  […]

Words come out naturally to most of us and we tend to say them just as they are or as they come to us. Our world is filled with words of encouragement, hatred, ego, greed and even death (literally). On many occasions, our words are uttered with no conscious thought and without weighing the consequences.  Most times, we hardly stop to think of the consequences of the words we are about to utter or what we are uttering to the next person. The words we utter could add to the essence of living to someone, and on the other hand, could also cause the death of someone emotionally.

Speaking without first weighing the consequences or even damning the consequences if we are aware of words before we speak is one guilty aspect of our lives that keeps propping up even as we try very hard to put an end to it. We should not forget that our words make or mar us.

A word thought is eternalised and an important key to success in life is to understand the power of the words we utter. A thought spoken has even more power and can never be taken back once said. Most women that have been successful in their marriage are those that have learned to take control of their words instead of their words taking control of them. Yes, women are the ones guiltiest of allowing their words to take control of them. When we are angry, we allow our words to take control of us and just go on talking and eventually say things that will forever be on the minds of whoever we have said them to. They might forgive but will definitely never forget, because words are like arrows that once said could pierce right at the heart of the other.

Successful people understand that they have and need to speak positively rather than negatively in order to see success. Successful people are characterised by the words they utter and know the importance of speaking words that build relationships and possibilities instead of destroying them.

In the holy books, we have been warned that for every word we consciously or unconsciously speak, we will be called to account for. “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account therefore on the Day of Judgment. By your words, you shall be justified or condemned,” say the holy books. Thousands of words come out of our mouths on a daily basis, but we are however oblivious of the negative effects that some of these words have on us and those around us.

There is great power in the words that we utter, but we do not realise it and do not usually put it to great use. It is said that words are so powerful that when repeated with emotion, they tend to bring out another side of us. The words we speak one way or the other come back to us; if not immediately, then sometime later in life. The words we say can store up treasures or disasters for us. What we say as words to others have consequences for others and for ourselves. So never speak anything that you do not wish to have manifest in your life. As, for example, most people when they are annoyed tend to say nasty or uncalled for insults to a child like, “you are stupid” or that he/she will never amount to anything in life. These things you say might just come to pass, you never can tell.

If you realise that your tongue is getting out of control, then it is important you take a cue from Frank Oulaw’s quote, “Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

The bottom line in this situation is to think before you speak. So, what kind of words will you send out today and in the days to come?