Hear No, Speak No, See No...
If I had a simple explanation for this behavior, I would be a very wealthy man! We pay strict attention to our personal and business affairs, making sure as to not embarrass ourselves or those around us. We also make a point to first think about what we are intending to say, before we actually take the gun off safety and fire a round or two! So, with this in mind, how can we make a complete ass of ourselves knowing these things? Why does it always involve someone we dearly love and respect?
Humans, as a species, are infamous for taking things for granted. We also have cornered the market on spontaneous behavior, making sure we exercise this behavior when it will do the most damage! happened to making a conscious effort to spare ourselves from embarrassment and ridicule? How about from having to constantly say we are sorry, once again?
We spend years falling in love, taking the smallest of steps to insure we are doing the right things. Making sure we respect and adore our loved one’s with everything in our power, every waking moment of every Now, here comes the really good part! We can erase, or at least do some pretty serious damage to this love and respect in a matter of seconds! We fail to remember that those closest to us take each and every word in a very literal sense, not focusing on the intent but rather the inherent message that comes with our carefully chosen dialogue.
If we would simply slow down, turn down our emotions and pay a little attention to what was getting ready to cascade over our lips, we would have a far more simple and stress-free life! Most of us would like to think that about the preventative part of things, making sure that we do not create a bigger problem from neglect. We can place a fair amount of the blame for this behavior on our emotions, and our lack of apparent common sense, but can we honestly plead for the Fifth Amendment? Of course not!! We should be held accountable!
The next time you find yourself in a situation where the words might not come out right, even if it’s only a very small chance, take a few moments to reconcile your thoughts and maintain that peaceful coexistence that you so patiently and lovingly constructed over so many years! I made this mistake this past week, and feel horrible, even though is only 6 months new!! I am quite sure that if I look close enough, I will find a small bruise on my heart as a result and a very special person who is still feeling the sting! Compassion, consideration and common sense will always go a long way towards a healthy and lasting relationship!