One of the biggest things that stood out to me this time was the power of words to hurt someone whom we dearly love and about whom we care so much. Words are so quick to come and so easy to speak that sometimes we do not even think about what we are saying during a conversation or even after it. We do not always need to be right, we can watch the condescending tone and phrasing we may use when we talk to our friends and associates, we can watch what we say about others when we think that only the right people are around, and one with which I especially struggle-we can watch how we jest and how we give each other a "hard time."
Words have such a power to heal, build, uplift, love, and mend, yet such polar opposite and equal powers to hurt, destroy, tear down, hate, and demean. Many of God's children are tender and even those who portray strength and "immunity" to words are susceptible to sorrow and hurt by things we may say purposefully or accidentally. Of course we are not to take offense, especially where none is intended, but we can ebb the chance of offense becoming a possibility by choosing carefully the words we use and the way we use them.
I have wonderful friends who choose wonderful things to say about others. They are an example to me and they are also patient with my attempts to be less abrasive and more tactful and kind with my words. I have a testimony that Elder Holland is an apostle of Jesus Christ and that the principles he teaches are true and if followed lead to a happier, more blessed life.
Cherish those whom you love and recognize that they are a blessing from God.
Jeremy
I remember this talk and I remember thinking, "I am not always nice to myself. I need to be kinder to myself." It is something we all struggle with-- being kind to ourselves. Hopefully we are working to be as kind to ourselves as to others.
ReplyDeleteThis ties in with the "Beware of Pride" talk. It is that pride that encourages us to talk negatively and bitingly towards others in the hopes that we will buoy ourselves up. When we can fill our own vessels with the charity of Christ, we are less mean to others because we love ourselves enough. Then there is no need to be horrible to ourselves, either.
I hope that makes sense!