CEBU, Philippines - The spoken language is an amazing human invention. It enables us to communicate in a more precise, straightforward way. But while this tool makes it easier for us to express ourselves, it also has the potential to do harm.
We are supposed to understand one another better with the use of language. We have words to convey our feelings and ideas effectively. Sadly, being freely available, words have become so cheap that we often use them with great abandon.
We tend to forget that every word we say has power. It can affect whoever hears it, either in a positive or negative way. Emotions are easily evoked and lives immensely transformed by words that go straight to the heart.
Yet, the same power that can inspire can also ruin. People can be totally stripped of their self-worth and dignity by the cruel remarks of their detractors. Even a sincere but careless opinion can cause hurt and desolation.
Words affect not only those that hear them but, more directly, also those that speak them. The speaker hears his thoughts first before he can even begin to put them into words. Then he hears it all over again the moment he speaks out his mind.
The words we utter can either cause or feed the very conditions we want to avoid or overcome. By always complaining about our misfortunes, we keep the muscles of our adversities toned and ever strong to continue their grip on us. By cursing our enemy, we unwittingly give the fellow more power to inhabit our consciousness.
The mind is a hospitable creative center; it accepts everything that is brought to it. It does not sift ideas, it only accepts. Then, the part of the mind called the subconscious immediately goes to work to produce whatever conditions those ideas suggest.
The longer an idea is sustained in the mind, the more certain its realization in actual life conditions. A word of hatred or depravity spoken repeatedly soon becomes a real-life condition in its own image. But when sincere, positive words are spoken, healthy thoughts inhabit the mind, and corresponding ideal life conditions are created.
Perhaps the reason why life conditions are generally not ideal is that people speak so many contradictory words. The common language is like a see-saw – first up and then down; first constructive and then destructive. Any good is quickly offset with bad.
And, again, there's the issue of people being loose with words, of talking too much. A lot of unhappiness in the world can be avoided if only everyone exerts a little effort in testing the fitness of their words. By asking three simple questions: Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind?
Through those questions many words will be left unspoken. Many words are not necessary, not true, not kind. It is good to speak kindly, to speak with sincerity and due consideration.
It is a great feeling to be able to think, speak and do as much good as possible. If only we each try to fill our minds with good ideas and our hearts with good intentions always, no doubt we will become beautiful beings. And, by our individual examples, we will make life beautiful for all.
There's a saying: "Be watchful of your thoughts, they become your words. Be watchful of your words, they become your actions. Be watchful of your actions, they become your habits. Be watchful of your habits, they become your character."
We shape ourselves by the thoughts we keep. We affect others by the language we speak.