Words

The past several weeks, I have been consumed with words. As a business coach and a public speaker I routinely use lots of words, both written and spoken.

During the past couple of days I have been more aware of the shear volume of words that I speak and the number of words spoken to me and words that have been spoken around me during routine, daily life.

 

The past several days I have given speeches at conferences and have taught others on how to stand before a group to speak and how to conduct meaningful business meetings. 

 

I've encountered loss of  sleep the night before a speaking event because my brain won't shut down and I lay awake thinking about what I want to say and how to say it. Then, after the event is over, I'm tortured the next night re-living what I had said and wondering if I said too much, not enough, was it clear, did I make my point, did it have impact, etc.

 

As I have pondered the spoken language, I'm reminded what a person once suggested. "There is probably nothing that exposes a man's character more than the words he uses." That is a daunting thought! That the words we use as leaders, parents, friends, acquaintances give a picture to the outside world about who we are on the inside.
 

So....FRIENDLY words, ENCOURAGING words, FILTHY words, ANGRY words, LOUD or SOFT words may tell those around you what kind of person you are.

 

In addition, there is nothing more powerful than words to inspire, correct, teach or cause others to action. During my career, I have met many people who are brilliant and who are intellectual giants in their fields of expertise. However, they will die in almost obscurity, because of their inability to use words effectively.

 

For those who profess to be people of moral, upstanding and ethical individuals your actions will be compared to the words you use. So with all this said, I leave you using less words on this blog article with this thought.

 

If all that we say in a single day,
with never a word left out, were printed each night
in clear black and white it would make strange reading,
no doubt.

 

And then just suppose, before our eyes close;
we had to read the whole record through.

 

Then wouldn't we sigh and wouldn't we try
 a great deal less talking to do.

 

And, I more than half think that many a kink
would be smoother in life's tangled thread...

 

If half that I say, in a single day, were to be left...
forever...unsaid.

 

Text contribution from: Alister Begg

www.Truthforlife.org