What do you talk about? There are a wide variety of topics to discuss. There is drama to portray. It is good to pause for a moment and reflect on the use of words. Words once said cannot be taken back. We can wish we did not say certain things. We can make amends for hurtful words said. But we cannot take back the words we wish we did not say.
Do we use words to build up, or tear down? There are many times we find ourselves in lulls at home, at work, or with friends. We have many opportunities to affirm the goodness in life. When we are with our friends, what are the topics we choose to discuss? Do we talk about our family members to our friends? Do we talk about our friends with our family members? Discussing the lives of others can be uplifting if we are talking in a positive way of the good things others have thought, said, or done. The harm to reputations only comes in if we talk about things in a negative or condescending way behind the backs of the others we are talking about. Before we talk about others in any way, we might try to remember not to say anything we would not say in their presence.
How much time do you spend talking about others? It can be easy to slide down the slippery slope of gossip once in a while. Yet once a foundation of gossip has been laid down in any group, there can be a tendency to jump to conclusions, or character assassinate those being talked about. It takes a long time to build up our good reputations. It takes no time at all to destroy another’s reputation. We ought to take care of the reputations we juggle in our mouths.
Who do you talk about? Sometimes the people in our lives can seem to be easy targets of our unkind words. Unless we are talking with our counselor, we might want to filter our conversations through our empathetic and compassionate souls. It is a destructive and devastating habit to get into to complain about those around you in a warped attempt to build up the self.
With whom do you talk about others? Coworkers, gym buddies, clubs, and family and friend circles are among the endless groups of people we can rob the reputations of others without their knowing. We have no right to tarnish the reputation of others, just as others have no right to tarnish our reputation.
Do you talk about the people you have talked to about others, after you leave them? Everyone should be forewarned. If you ever experience spending time with anyone who gossips about others, be well-warned that as soon as you leave, you will be the next one on the gossip chop block. You might think you will fair well, but not everyone may agree.
How common is gossiping about others in your daily life? Not everyone gossips, especially if you have been a victim of cyber, business, social, or personal gossip. It is not necessary to experience the embarrassing and often crippling effects of gossip first-hand in order to recognize the need to stop the gossip stream. Gossip can be addicting. It takes strength of character to stand up in defense of integrity and honor of the reputations of others. Assault on the dignity of others ought to be beneath all of us.
Namaste