Words

For your consideration….

For the most part, we do not give a lot of thoughts to our words. We communicate on the spot….on autopilot. Most of the time that works for us. Sometimes we find it does not.

Our message today tells us that for the most part, resolving issues on the spot is best. Time can lead to them festering. But there are times, when it is best to retreat and wait for a better time to get our message across. A good example is when we are angry. Rather than say words we live to regret, it is better to walk away and re-engage in when cooler heads prevail.

Sometimes we feel our loved ones, co-workers and friends have tuned us out. They do not seem to understand that what we are saying to them is important to us. This could be because we have said it so many times before we now sound like a broken record. It could be the way we are delivering the words. Our tone does not match our feelings. It could be that our listener just does not relate to what we are saying etc.

Today’s message is more about this type of communication. It is about when we have an issue or feeling that is very important and we need for it to be heard. We need for it to be understood. We need it to be very clear.

When we have strong feeling that we need to communicate, it is up to US to find the words AND find the time and place to deliver them.

I have often joked that when I needed to have a serious discussion with my girls, I would choose in the car. What were they going to do? Certainly not jump out of a car moving 70 MPH down a freeway. They were a captive audience.

When our words matter and we want them to be heard, we need to think them through. They have to be very clear and strong…not whiny, complaining or nagging.  The intention of our words needs to be very clear. It has to be clear that they are our words…our feelings…our desires. We have to own them.

When we are very clear on those words we want to deliver, we need to pick a time and place to deliver them so that they have the biggest impact. That would not be in an argument. Unless they were meant for a group of people, we would probably not want to deliver them in front of a group of people. It would probably not be right before, during or after an event that is important to the person we want to listen to us…..even if we think that event is unimportant….like a sporting event for example. No, we want to pick a time that has the least distractions and is comfortable for our listener.

When our words matter, if they are important enough to us, they are important enough for us to put some strategy behind them.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take….

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Don’t be frustrated. Take action.

What made me smile yesterday….

-Our friend came through her surgery like a champ.

-My women’s circle.

-Cozy blankets and warm socks on a very cold night.

-Catching up with Alex.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris