I've blogged on a similar topic before, about the things that come out of our mouths when they are left unattended. Shocking. The automatic unkindnesses, the unthinking gossip - as if we just tossed out one more teeny tiny toxic and non-biodegradable plastic bottle onto a very, very large ocean of humanity. Like it doesn't matter because it's just the one. After all, how will the girl walking by EVER know you made fun of her hair, or compared her ass unfavorably....
I am not sure we can dissassociate what we are saying from the impact it has on the speaker. Yes, the words leave the lips, but the feelings linger and the only one experiencing the effects is us. Ever feel bad after cutting someone down or saying the mean thing just to be clever?
And that is just what we are willing to say other people! Our inner talk is far less sensored and just as, if not more, damaging. Our self- talk, or mirror talk... "I'm so fat" "I'm idiot" "I'm a pig" etc., etc.,
We are hard on ourselves. We are hard on other people. No one ever gets a break. No wonder we need motivational speakers to G-ourselves up with 'you can do it!' rhetoric. It is like some insane cartoon routine, I smack you on the head with the hammer and then take back the hammer so I can smack myself or make sure I'm standing in the way when you smack you.
There's no reason why we can't take a moment to question the things we say and the things we think before we release them like toxic gases. After all, we all know that poisoning the planet is the same thing as poisoning ourselves.
It doesn't seem that far of a stretch that maybe, just maybe, it's one emotional ecosystem too?
With all of us connected, what makes us think we'll escape the long terms effects of our own words after we are gone? The same little voice that tells us it doesn't matter if you toss that gum wrapper on the ground?
If you feel affected by this post, give someone the gift of seeing that you and they are the same and treat 'yourself' to some loving kindness. Do it for me.