Meet our writers

Win $1,000







Reflections March 2016

Life Is for Living

That's How the Wind Blows

By Neil Wyrick

Do you have a child or grandchild? Never forget that what you say to them will carry with them for the rest of their lives. If the words or ideas are negative you will hardly have given them a gift worth keeping.

With all the windy politicians in such abundance I do more often than usual think of the month of March. I also consider the real possibility that all of us are guilty of excessive pontification. So I thought I would briefly comment on how and why we all are in need of constant verbal control.

In this ongoing battle to tame our tongues it is good to remember that each of us speaks an average of 11 million words a year. What we say is incredibly important for we can either build up or tear down. Our words are a weapon or a blessing.

Have you ever tried to unscramble an egg? Well, that's what gossip is. Someone once said that gossip is making a mountain out of a mole hill by adding some dirt.

Do you have a child or grandchild? Never forget that what you say to them will carry with them for the rest of their lives. If the words or ideas are negative you will hardly have given them a gift worth keeping.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." This biblical proverb – whether you are churchgoer are not – is an eternal truth.

Someone once said, "Engage your mind before you engage your mouth." Think like a writer. Train ourselves to be in a constant state of rewrite. We must learn to THINK before we speak. Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

When we speak do the words we use comfort and inspire? It is a question we should ask more often.

Would you like to lessen the habit of too often saying the wrong thing? Fine yourself a nickel every time you get out of line and then give the proceeds to your favorite charity.

What I'm saying is we should keep our tongue between our teeth. What we say becomes a victim of the multiplication table. If it is bad, in repetition it just gets worse.

I rise each morning and dress to look more attractive. This along with the kind of personality I project along with the words I use to express myself do leave a lasting impression.

Since our tongues are too often inclined to be independent without thought or control the only thing left for us to do when they have misbehaved is to apologize.

Actually, stay clear of people who set a bad example which you then are prone to follow.

Someone has suggested that we make our words as sweet as honey because we will have to eat them.

I close with one of my favorite quotes. “The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust.” — Josh Billings

 

Meet Neil