What was the best advice your parents offered you when growing up?
Parents are known for offering pithy pointers to their kids. -- and if you're like me, then you can easily finish these classic examples of parent-isms:
When life gives you lemons…(make lemonade)
A little dirt never…(killed anyone)
Stop crying or I'll give you something…(to cry about)
You catch more flies with honey…(than vinegar)
If ifs and buts were candies and nuts… we'd all have a good time (I've shared this with my son more times than I can remember)
And my personal favorite is, "One day, God willing, you'll have one just like you." Ha!
Parental proverbs are everywhere -- and half the time, I'm not even sure parents fully understand the meaning of these expressions.
Take, for example, a not-so-subtle piece of advice my dad gave me several times throughout my life growing up. With a bit of a furrowed brow and stern tone, he'd say, "Don't let your mouth overload your butt."
How crazy is that? To this day, I'm not entirely sure where that came from or completely what it means -- but one thing I did know. It was my dad's way of saying, "Think before you speak," or "Don't say something that you're going to regret," or "Don't write checks with your mouth that your butt can't cash."
Wow. What a success principle for life. The extent to which I learn how to exercise discernment and self-control in what I say will make me or break me.
Why is this?
It's because your words stick -- and because they have power. In fact, a word's power lasts long after it is spoken.
Words also create a reaction. In every situation, words are water or gasoline to the fires of life happening around you. Words are heard, received, interpreted, and internalized. This adds weight to even the most careless of statements.
Because every word matters, every word should be carefully chosen -- and used only when necessary.
Humorist and political cartoonist James Dent said it well -- "As you go through life you are going to have many opportunities to keep your mouth shut. Take advantage of all of them."
I love this piece of advice because many trials can be either avoided or quelled through the withholding of words.
Ancient wisdom literature picks up on this piece of advice as well.
Proverbs 18:26 says, "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
Too many words bring consequences -- so we should use them sparingly.
I've found the THINK acronym helpful when knowing what and when to say -- and today, I'll also pass it on to you.
Is it TRUE? Are your words honest and void of lies or half-truths?
Is it HELPFUL? Do your words aid in improving the situation?
Is it INSPIRING? Will your words encourage and uplift?
Is it NECESSARY? Are words really needed? Will they add value to the conversation? Can they be avoided altogether?
Is it KIND? Do your words come from a pure heart for the individual or situation being spoken of?
Will you choose to use your words sparingly -- and only after you THINK?
I want to challenge you to go 24 hours without speaking an unkind word. Take the next 24 hours and THINK before you talk -- and refrain from using unnecessary words.
In my dad's words, "Don't let your mouth overload your butt." Ha!
