We all have those ‘open mouth, insert foot’ moments. I had one of these moments just recently and ended up offending and upsetting a good, close friend. We got into an argument and I said a lot of things out of anger.
I also said a few things that I thought I meant at the time, but looking back, I really don’t think I meant them.
Growing up, I never really thought about the impact that words can have. Only as I grew older, and my relationships with others began to grow more meaningful to me, I realized how important proper communication is and how spoken words can either build or destroy.
I believe today, that we really don’t think of how what we say can either encourage someone or tear them down. If we have said hurtful things, regret sneaks in, guilt takes over with the realization that we cannot take those words back. That’s the crappy part.
On the other hand, encouraging words can bring about a positive change. When someone tells me that they are there for me or they appreciate something that I have done, I feel needed and more apt to excel in whatever I do.
Encouragement is not effortless and if we allow praise or good words to slide, then we will never know the effect that we could have had on someone. It is an opportunity lost.
After spitting these words of either bitterness or carelessness, it is then that I realize what a fool I have made of myself. Words out of anger are never good, and the result can be damaging.
I know that I should think before I speak and weigh the power of my words. I just hope for those that I have offended, I can find forgiveness and that they can come to me and say, “Hey, I won’t hold this against you. My perception of you has not changed and I forgive you.”
I have learned that if I listen more and talk less that maybe I can be more understanding instead of judging or placing blame.
A lot of times, we fail to see where the other person is coming from. We say we understand, but we really don’t. If we could actually get a glimpse of what this person may be going through, we would actually shut our mouths for a second and listen. Really listen.
So, do you want to know what the result is between this friend and me? We are not on speaking terms right now and how sad that is.
How sad that we allowed our words to bring about this outcome. This is actually an apology from me and I will patiently wait for their forgiveness.
I always seem to get myself in messes like this, and for that, I am truly sorry.
Hopefully, I can find forgiveness for the things I have said, and learn to control my tongue.

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