Watch What You Say

There is no lack of rules regarding speech. The Bill of Rights seeks to protect its freedom, slander is punishable by law, and religions note it as a way in which, if abused, we become unclean. Speech, more than any action, belies our intention. It goes to say not only what we will do, but what we would do if we were left unfettered. As such, it shouldn't be any great surprise that the misuse of ones words is the basis for some of our most embarrassing and regretful moments.

I cringe when I find myself speaking without being cognizant of the implications that the words may have. Often I speak as I think, openly, without thinking about how it reflects up on me or those I know. Soon after such a conversation ends I find myself reeling at the things I've thought and said. Did I really mean that? Did I really say that? The answer to both is yes. It is at that point that I step back and have a chance to realize what otherwise goes unnoticed in my head. I have many thoughts and words I'm not proud of. If there were anything I could do to better myself personally and socially it would be to watch those thoughts and reflect up on them instead of offering them up so easily.