Words can breathe life or death into a situation. I’ve often been advised to guard my words so that they may heal and uplift rather than inflict further harm and tear down. Admittedly, that is easier said than done. However, I do try to maintain positive thoughts about myself and the people around me so that when I do speak, (or write in this case) my words are sincerely from the heart and reflect optimism. In an effort to train and renew my mind to think positively, I like to find inspiration from various sources. I try not to be stingy so of course I’m willing to share this beautiful piece with you all. Author is unknown. Enjoy!
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”
“A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.”
Dear Friends, please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.
Thank you Lynn:
I saw this post just after I received a very negative comment on Facebook. Words are quite important. My grandparents always said: ” Be careful with that little piece of material between your ears”.