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Watch your Language

by Val Boyko
Comments 64

toshogu monkeys

I recall being reminded as I was growing up, and then again as an employee, how important it was to watch my language and to think before speaking.

However, in social media, and at the highest level of US government, this doesn’t seem to apply. Not thinking before speaking and readily making judgmental comments about people behind their backs, appears to be acceptable.

It makes me wonder “Are we becoming a society where gossip is okay?” and “Are you being drawn into this too?”

Let us all remind ourselves to THINK before we speak, post or email. Whether we are making a presentation, interacting with colleagues or chatting with friends, its important to remember this acronym.

T – Is this true?
H – Is this helpful?
I – Is this inspiring?
N – Is this necessary?
K – Is this kind?

Let us all practice mindful communication and bring respectful awareness to our interactions with others.

After all, isn’t this what we all want for ourselves?

Namaste

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About Val Boyko

Val Boyko is originally from Scotland and came to the United States over 25 years ago. At "Find Your Middle Ground" Val brings together her experience as a life coach, yoga teacher and mentor, to inspire awakening to the light and inspiration within us all. This blog is a place of exploration and discovery as we all explore finding harmony and peace, in the highs and lows of life 💛

www.findyourmiddleground.com

64 comments on “Watch your Language”

  1. lorriebowden
    June 2, 2017

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    💖

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  2. Tiny
    June 2, 2017

    This is a great reminder for extroverts like me! Thanks Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. The Coastal Crone
    June 2, 2017

    Good reminders! Sadly, it seems that anything goes but words do matter and should certainly come carefully from those in government. Love the monkeys! I have a small wooden set near my books as a reminder but they are Siamese cats. Peace and joy to you!

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Jennifer Kelland Perry
    June 2, 2017

    I just received an email from someone who could have benefitted from this! 🙄

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. D. Wallace Peach
    June 2, 2017

    That is great, Val. A vital reminder in this age of political turmoil and nastiness. Thanks for the “think.”

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. insearchofitall
    June 2, 2017

    Well said and I so agree.

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. Bela Johnson
    June 2, 2017

    Heartily agree, Val. People tend to say or post most anything they like, dislike or agree with without considering its veracity. I think this isn’t helped much by a deceptive media (though we personally don’t participate). Many become inured to the sensationalism of facts ‘just because’ someone they know or admire passed on something that struck a chord. Example: A few months back I posted something I thought helpful and inspiring to Facebook – and a friend sent me a snopes.com link to prove it was a hoax/misinformation. I gladly accepted his correction, and from then on have been careful before reposting anything. I think we need as many reminders as possible in these confusing times.

    The THINK acronym is almost sequential, as well: If it’s true, one might assume it to be helpful, inspiring and necessary to some. Kindness is also a consideration, though subjective and some might unintentionally seem unkind when that is not their intention and vice-versa. On the other hand, if it’s Not true, than it definitely – no matter how good it seems – is not helpful (though it may prove inspiring or seem kind. And that’s what this wordsmith has to say about That! 😉

    Cheers, Val. Great post! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Val Boyko
      June 2, 2017

      I’m so happy it got you thinking Bela 💛I overheard a conversation the other day, and was so surprised that people felt it was okay to put others down in order to find something in common to laugh at.
      Thankfully I am not as young as aI used to be 😉

      Liked by 2 people

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  8. Jill Weatherholt
    June 2, 2017

    Great reminder, Val. If you don’t have anything nice to say…ZIP IT! xo

    Liked by 3 people

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  9. Vicki
    June 2, 2017

    Great reminder Val.
    I really worry about the direction social media is heading and do not like it one bit. Even the lack of punctuation in a sentence online can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings. We really do need to be more careful in our social media interaction. And a certain someone in power in the U.S. needs to do the same.
    I’ve been on the receiving end of gossip, innuendo and the like in my last job and it was not a good or pleasant way to live. I quit the job and the bullying, nastiness and associated stress and am now much happier. (although I did quit the job due to ‘chronic ill health’ primarily).

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Val Boyko
      June 2, 2017

      Thank you Vicki 💛 Stress and ill health go hand in hand. It undermines everything and our ability to live well. How we interact with others is so important.

      Like

      Reply
  10. ivonprefontaine
    June 2, 2017

    Reblogged this on Teacher as Transformer and commented:
    I finished the retreat today. Teaching is inspiring others to want to learn. It does not replace the responsiblity for learning. Essential to inspiring is communicating with students, listening to them in caring and sensitive ways. At its greatest, teaching reminds me of the Buddhist proverb: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

    Liked by 4 people

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  12. dianasschwenk
    June 3, 2017

    Yes! ❤
    Diana xo

    Liked by 2 people

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  13. Dan Antion
    June 3, 2017

    Very good advice

    Liked by 2 people

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  14. Carrie Cannady
    June 3, 2017

    Great reminder, Val. If more people knew that the words we choose to use create our reality, different words might be chosen. When they are not, the projections tell us all we need to know about them.

    Liked by 2 people

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  15. Ann Koplow
    June 3, 2017

    I love to watch your language, Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. emilievardaman
    June 3, 2017

    That concept is as important today as ever. Somehow we need to get back to decency.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. nrhatch
    June 3, 2017

    What are you? Some kind of “total nut job”?
    Or are you just trying to be “politically correct”?

    These days, with the current administration at the helm, “politically correct” is more of an oxymoron than ever! 😀

    Here’s to THINKing before SPEAKing! Good post.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Kate Crimmins
    June 3, 2017

    This couldn’t be more appropriate. It appears we are becoming a society where we can say anything and justify it by saying “that’s what I think and I’m allowed to have my own beliefs.” All good but if they are hurtful, zip it (borrowing from Jill).

    Liked by 3 people

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  19. allthingsrightblog
    June 3, 2017

    That’s so true. Exactly as I feel. Thanks for the much needed advice😊😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. Helen
    June 5, 2017

    “If you can’t say something nice, Don’t say nothing at all,” And I learned that from Thumper.: Thanks Val, been off the radar again but always good to come back to you. x

    Liked by 3 people

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  21. misifusa
    June 5, 2017

    Beautiful! I love it! THINK!!! ♥

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. Sue Dreamwalker
    June 6, 2017

    Love your THINK related reminders Val.. I wish more could Think before speaking or tweeting! their chirps.. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Val Boyko
      June 6, 2017

      Don’t get me going on Tweeting 😫 Thank you Sue for your thoughtful response 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Sue Dreamwalker
        June 6, 2017

        Chirpy chirpy cheap Cheap… 🙂 So glad i am only on WP .. But our mainstream media news is chirping away lol.. So tired of the whole darn thing.. of who says what, to whom and why.. As we undergo a barrage here of onslaughts of mud slinging from our political parties as they all promise everything to gain our votes for the election on Thursday.. Even my hubby turned off the News the other day.. A first for him.. So there is Hope! LoL.. Yet.. 🙂 haha..
        Enjoy your day Val.. xxx Hugs

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  23. Grace Balogun
    June 23, 2017

    Namaste. I totally relate to this post. It is like people no longer take responsibility for what they speak, the words they use. Which is very important. That is why the world and the children it is giving birth to are forgetting what empathy is. They no longer care about what their words can do to other people. It’s sad. 😦

    Liked by 2 people

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  24. Tiasa Tilak
    June 23, 2017

    Ma’am have you ever visited India ??!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Val Boyko
      June 23, 2017

      Thank you for asking. I have not visited India, but my yoga tradition has its roots in the Yoga Life Institute in Mombai. I value all yoga traditions,Hindu religion as well as yoga philosophy and Advaita belefs that prevail there.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Tiasa Tilak
        June 24, 2017

        Yes that’s why I asked. Yoga has its roots in India and so does the sanskrit word “Namaste”. It’s an Indian greeting. I particularly got intrigued because you posted this picture of the three monkeys. This culture of “don’t see bad, don’t hear bad, and don’t say bad” also originated in India. I’m glad you’re appreciative of it. India is a great country…. With a lot to offer. But somehow the biased western media always portrays her as a poor undeveloped country. Always managing to hide India’s achievements in science, health, education, media, entertainment industry and even spiritual knowledge. Do pay a visit. India is worth it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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