Use Them Wisely

Human kindness......I was taught if you couldn't say something nice, keep your mouth shut.  In the past few days, I have been amazed at the lack of human kindness that has drifted my way. People have said downright ugly, tacky cruel things to Rick and myself and to a couple of our friends.

Some of the words were said by strangers ( and though they stung, we dealt with them).  The worst were the ones who came from "friends."  People that we share our time, our talents, our resources with.......it's not the first time it has happened, it won't be the last......but that doesn't lessen the pain of the words.

Words are weapons of incredible destruction.......they can break spirits, destroy wills, crush hearts and devastate creative energy.  Words change lives, often forever.

I realize that even with the best intentions, some words come out all wrong.......maybe you just can't phrase something the way it needs to be said, maybe the words were spoken without thinking, maybe no matter what you said.......you should have said nothing.

Words, once they are said......you can't take them back.....you can apologize, beg forgiveness, and say I am sorry many times.......but words, can be very hard to forget.  The sting of hurtful words lasts far longer than a bee sting.

Rick and I worked through sharpness of the sting and I think, I hope that our friends have also......sadly, I know that those who spoke the words, won't ever be in the same place in our hearts and thoughts again......those words did change things.  It's not resentment or anger.......it's awareness, the building of walls, the cushioning of hearts and feelings, so that the sting from that sharp tongue won't be felt again.

Words........use them wisely.