5 Reasons to Tame that Tongue

This past few days I somehow felt the desire and calling to write about this. Hope it speaks to some of you.

Here’s a scenario just to give you an idea  of what could or would happen if you dont think without talking.

You are having lunch with Person A and you notice that something isn’t too right. Then you realize that Person A is constantly taunted by Person B who happens to be a close friend. On that particular day, you find unpleasant postings by Person B on Person As social networking site and this upsets Person A. Person A is not the kind who likes to argue and doesnt really find situations like this amusing.  This form of confrontation may not be face to face or physical but it still affects Person A deeply. Folks, whether its you typing behind a keyboard or giving a one off confrontation, there isnt really a difference because there is bound to be damage. Here are 5 reasons you should tame that tongue!

#1 You gonna hurt someone pretty bad

Condescending words that are harsh in nature can ultimately hurt people. This is the most obvious and most severe reason I can possibly state. Your  words whether they are intentional or not, can be likened to a mass of arrows launched from the hands of a skilled bowman piercing straight into the innocent heart of its prey, killing it instantly. But of course, no victim of harsh words will be dead instantly,  it’s just that with every harsh word hurled, you create a tiny little scar and we all know that hundreds of tiny little scars make for one massive wound.

#2 You can’t take back your words even if you are sorry

You may feel bad afterwards, you may apologise, your apology might be accepted, people may forgive you BUT no one ever forgets.  What you’ve done may be just too permanent of a scar to just wipe away or push it aside. You see here is the logic, you cannot allow your tongue and lips to speak as it wishes and then expect anyone and everyone to just brush it aside like nothing ever happened in the first place. As earlier mentioned you have one shot with that arrow and bow in your hands, once you shoot that arrow, it’s bound to hit and wound someone. 

#3 Friends, you would not want to lose them

Your constant lashing of the lip would be seen as a liability to some of your peers. People generally want to keep away from anything that induces conflict and if you happen to be the splinter to the fire then go figure. The people that you surround yourself with may look normal or seem normal when you are around but they are definitely trying their best to keep away. Friends come and go, that’s a fact but you will definitely lose the old friends sooner and keep away the potential partners if your tongue is on the loose.  New friends might appear but they will be as quick to disappear once your colours start showing.

#4 They only reveal your insecurities

Why this? Well, your constant need to build barriers, to talk without thinking, to allow unnecessary comebacks to leave that mouth definitely shows that you are insecure with who you are. It shows that you are not sure of who you are, you are uncomfortable with your identity and that you feel that you don’t really fit in with the atmosphere around you. Thus, it creates a need within you to fight back, to perhaps claim back what you presume to have lost. The more you allow your tongue to do the talking, the more you convince the entire world that you are not who you say you are.

#5 This isn’t who God has created you to be

This last one might seem inapplicable or void to some people but I still feel the need to address this final point. Wear your hijab, quote as many bible verses you want or get an orange robe and mediate in the temples.  Be religious, speak religiously, dress even more religiously but if you don’t tame that tongue in the first place, I assure that there is no change in you. You are still the same old person who clearly has issues to deal with. Look, God did not just give you a brain for no reason.  Think before you talk. 

That’s just my two cents worth. I hope this gave some of y'all something to think about. 

Adios till the next post.  

Resolutions, do they make a difference?

Year after year, the earth completes its circle around the sun and we celebrate a global phenomenon that we have come to know as "New Years Day". We celebrate the hope that a new year brings and many people like you and me write little notes known as resolutions. Many of these resolutions revolve around self- development, esteem needs, love and belonging. No doubt that these resolutions often ignite a certain spark in you but do they last?

Well, I'm not to judge in any circumstance and I'm no pro in achieving goals but speaking from experience, I can never uphold my resolutions for more than a few weeks or better still a couple of months. In light of that, I want 2012 to be different, I want to learn from mistakes. I want to invite you to journey with me as I stick to my resolutions and make them happen.

The following are my resolutions for the year :

• To make the most out of everything, not to take anything less for what its worth , not to take anything for granted. ~ This is something that Ive learnt over the past year through several experiences. I was very affected when I had to switch university campuses , as I was pretty much and very attached to everyone and everything at my campus.  I found myself going to a campus where I did not study more often than where I was enrolled into. Make no mistakes, I did learn many things, experienced plenty and met lots of passionate people but in the process I consciously made a choice to leave reality behind and embrace what wasn't mine to take. I did suffer the consequences, worsening grades, strained relationships, unnecessary expenses but you learn from your failures and this is one of the best lessons that I got in 2011. I really want to thank my bros and sistas from CF and the awesome peeps form AIESEC for standing by me throughout this time. Therefore my number ONE priority in 2012 is to never take anything for granted even if it lasts for a second.

• Loose the extras, Kill the fat ~ Health is wealth! Nothing matters more than having a well replenished, balanced, healthy body. In 2010 right after SPM, I made a commitment to go to the gym. Clocked in all those extra hours doing cardio and strength based exercises just to loose those extra pounds. That momentum went on for about 5 months till I had to enrolled into college. Still I thought, I can make time for this and resorted to visit the gym at a reduced frequency each week. Week after week passed, assignments, tests, exams, quizzes started to take its toll on me and couple it with the approximately 3 hours of driving I did each day to and fro from home and that was the end to my gym routine. I was still paying for it, YES Fitness First was getting a free cheque each month for its renovations and this went on for 9 - 10 months after which I finally terminated my membership. This year my prayer is that in whatever I do I have the will power to stick through it no matter what and hopefully ill be able to shed those extra pounds.

This year I am making a commitment to stick to my resolutions and make it happen no matter what and I want to encourage you to do the same.So yes, at the end of the day resolutions do make a difference as long as you're willing to stick to it no matter what happens.

Email me your stories and hopefully Ill be able to share it here.

Signing off

Daniel