Again, the usual disclaimer for the posts in this particular category...my blog, my opinions, the thoughts are for my family and if you're along for the ride, that's great.
It's been kind of a rough week for multiple reasons. A lot of churning emotions and lost sleep, again for various and unrelated reasons.
The specifics don't really matter in the long run, but taking the long way around this topic, I'll tell you that several weeks ago I woke up to the fact that I'd probably hurt a couple of close family members by something I'd typed in an email. It absolutely wasn't my intention to do so and when I realized it, I knew I needed to apologize, which I did.
Since then, though, I've had trouble letting it go. I know I've done everything I can to make it right, but the thing is...when you put something out there, you can't take it back. Words can't be un-read, or unspoken once you've sent them out into the universe, whether it was intentional or not.
I've thought a lot this week about where words lead, hence the pictures of feet you're seeing. It's really easy to put things into the public forum...we all do it. It's also really easy to be reactive and paint with a very broad brush, rather than not, but nothing exists in a vacuum. Think of those words like pebbles you drop into a pool of water. In all honesty, you never really know the ultimate effect of the ripples created when you drop those words, like stones, around you and others.
What I would want my kids to take from this is that you always want to try to let your words lead you in a positive way, and that way should find you headed towards the high road, wearing your big person pants. In analogies they will specifically understand....you want to hike the meadows or the well-marked trails, not the shale hillsides. You want your expressions to be considered, measured, and uplifting. The older I get, the more I find this to be true, but it's not easy for me because the knee-jerk reaction is my basic personality. I am impulsive and more than ever, I must measure my words.
Put thought into the effect, the ripples, if you will. It's so easy to hurt others through things that are said.
Be careful.....be thoughtful....be kind.....consider from all angles...watch your ripples.
Because words are powerful. Words matter...and they can't be taken back.
Very eloquently said.
Posted by: Julie Peddicord | February 13, 2020 at 09:59 AM
Great post mom
Posted by: SD Boy | February 13, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Thank you for allowing me to be along for the ride.
Posted by: Joyce DeLong | February 13, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Love this!
Posted by: Donna McEwen | February 13, 2020 at 04:17 PM
Thank you so much!! Love you Sister A 💜
Posted by: Dana Lambert | February 13, 2020 at 09:41 PM
"This post is YUGE. The greatest. I give it an A++. As a person who always watches all of my words, which are the best words, I can say this one is right at the top"
-President Donald J. Trump
Posted by: AP Man | February 14, 2020 at 11:31 AM