There's a popular phrase among parents of preschool and elementary aged children. "Use your words", they say, when their child is moody, whining, or struggling to express their juvenile needs or worries. This simple phrase sends somewhat of an electric shook to the brain of the child which almost always results in the kid quickly straightening up and attempting to verbalize their emotions.
After having somewhat of an unpleasant confrontation with a fellow co-worker involving her rolling her eyes and me exiting the room, I had a thought. What if, we as adults coined the phrased "Use your words." Why is this lesson only good for elementary aged children, when adults are the ones that struggle the most with communicating their needs and wants? And what if, just like that the physical emotion that we were acting out quickly turned to words filled with less emotion but more truth?
Instead of slammed doors, rolling of necks, fists against eyes, and tears along cheeks, what if we simply stopped for a second and pleaded, "Use your words." We live in a world with a vast amount of communication tools, but yet face so many situations where the tools seem to get in the way of what would better understood and received verbally.
What if we used our words and said "I love you" instead of typing "I <3 U" in a text or email? What if we used our words and said, "you hurt me" or "Don't call me" instead of ignoring phone calls? Sometimes non-verbal communication speaks louder and often times sends the incorrect message.
What if we used our words instead of assume the worse or even the best in certain situations? What if we said out loud what we mean instead of taking to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to discuss a private matter publicly?
What if we used our words?
I may be an optimist, but I think that by using ones words out loud a divorce could be reversed, a promotion could be given, or even a life saved.
I don't know... just a thought...
Use your words and be blessed,
Christy
