What We Say Matters

Let's create a hypothetical situation for a moment.

You're sitting in your friends living room with a bunch of people that you just met that night. Everyone is laughing and having a good time. The topic suddenly changes to the newest movies that are in the theater. You happen to love one movie in particular so you bring it up in the conversation. It very quickly becomes apparent to you that no one else in the room shares the same opinion as you. In fact, everyone is starting to add their comments about how terrible the particular movie was and how it was such a waste of money and the acting was terrible. By the time the subject finally drifts to a different topic, you regret having said something in the first place. 

That is the worst right? 

Let's think of another situation. 

You're sitting in your apartment living room talking to your roommates. You learn quickly that your roommates actually can't stand one of your friends that has been around a lot lately. You slowly start to crumble within yourself. What are you supposed to do? You love your roommates but you also love this friend. Are you supposed to stick up for your friend and risk having your roommates dislike you? Or do quickly try to play it cool and side with your roommates?

In both of these scenarios someone was hurt because of words. 

I have always found words to beautiful, exciting, a little mysterious at times, and above all, powerful. But words can also be hurtful, rude, disappointing, and can completely make or break somebody's day. 

It seems a little ridiculous at times the impact that words can have on our souls, but I'm sure we can all think of times where words made us feel like we were on cloud 9, and then times when words made us just want to curl up into a ball and disappear. So why are we not more careful about what we say in front of and to other people? 

While it is important to be able to share your opinion about something, it is also important to respect the opinions of those around you.

Why can't we all just be kind to one another? Why can't we respect everyone and their opinions even if we do not agree with them? Why are we so set on being right that we don't care who we hurt in the process?

My mother always told me, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. That is something that I seriouslt try to live by as I am growing up. I don't like seeing people in pain and I don't like it when you can tell it is because of something someone said to them.