Choose Your Words Wisely

In my opinion, many people in our culture could benefit from a class on effective communication.  It's okay to have a healthy debate but when people say stuff like:" I stand on what I said; You are wrong; That is not true, etc" they are shutting down the lines of communication and that tends to put the other party on the defensive. If we truly want to try to understand different perspectives, isn't it more productive to say things like, 'I disagree with that but I see you point here';and/ or to concede with the other party on some points. Does it hurt to say, "I see your point  but I feel blah, blah, blah"? I think this failure to compromise is what makes some people come across as being so angry all the time.

The definition of communication is to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like, by writing, speaking, etc. Most of the time people are just listening so that they can respond.  If we truly want to build better relationships and improve our communication skills, we have to listen to understand and try to see things from the other person's point of view.

Greek Philosopher, Epictetus said, "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” The Bible has this to say about communication: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.( Ephesians 4:29 ).

I try to use my poetry to inspire people to achieve their goals and to move past their fears.  Words can build people up or they can tear them down; so choose your words wisely.

Words
Most conversations begin with a simple word
and contain a noun and a verb
and while sentences can be simple or complex
Conversations are often something we will never forget
because words have the power to stir thoughts
and deter dreams and words used losely have more meaning
than that which on surface can be seen
because words have the power to destroy or to heal
and words can affect how people feel
Some words convey the absurd
while some words
express what occurred
and some words should just never be heard
for example the "N" word which has
hurt more than a few
and Semitic people don't
like the word Jew
and while neither one of these words is new
they still carry a dark hue and
express a negative view.
Words have power and
can speak things into existence
Words have led masses to resistance
words can inspire the unmotivated to persistence
and words can cut like a knife 
when thrown from a distance
so choose your words wisely
before you open your mouth, think
Remember any fool can talk;
but only a wise man speaks.

© 2011 Savvy Brown