ForumGarden

Do you think before you speak? Do you weigh your words, knowing that words are the most powerful weapon we have? Do you realize that having been granted the gift of speech, you have the power to change a moment,

a mind? or the world? Do you realize, as you speak that the words you choose to use cannott be taken back? That they can make a man feel like a mouse, and a mousey individual feel like a king? Do you know that a responsible man, a moral individual has a responsibility to monitor their speech knowing the repercussions possible from thoughtless talking?

Or do you just " Flap your gums" really not giving much thought to what you say. Isnt it amazing that speech is free? There is no hook up fee, or monthly charge, or cartridges to replace, or modums to repair. You can take it with you, whereever you go. It can get you almost anything you need, or want. It has been here, almost since the beginning of time, and will remain with you, even if you lose every material possesion you own. More than your weight, or your hair, or your job, or your clothes... it is the clearest indicator of who we really are. Amazing.

For the most part I think before I speak, sometimes I should think a bit more, but hey.

It is amazing though how the world of communication has changes with email and forums. I new question may be: ‘Do you think before you hit the send/submit button?’

People often these days respond in writing much different that they would in doing so verbally. I always say never answer an email as a reaction, it is too easy to fire off an email in anger and say all the wrong stuff and then find out that you misread or interpreted the original message.

My ex would proudly state "I say what I think"

On many occasions I had to remind her to "Think what you say"

It goes for all of us alas.

I think before I speak, therefore I am often silenced into not saying what I think.

never

I actually still spend more time speaking, than I do here. Because I do consider effective speaking to be an art form, I much prefer practicing it face to face. I came to touch the keyboard of a computer kicking and screaming, It was not something I wanted to do. I am glad I discovered it, but I never created a second personality for it. Although, I have somewhat learned the art of being discreet, alerted to the dangers, and mindful of the possibility of misrepresentation..... I continue to speak my my here, in the same style that I have in real life. That is why I am, over the course of years, not a member with a high post count. My strong suit is not flippant responses or humoress banter. I think very carefully before I post, or reply.

When I do, its almost like I have an audience of people " I know", and whose reactions I am responsible for. Anyone interested could go back to 2004 and find threads of mine expressing the same beliefs regarding the use of words. It is and always has been an important issue for me.

I do but then I'm not a big talker anyway.

I am not much of a speaker. But, as I have matured, I do feel it is wise to think before you speak. Words and tone of words do have power.

I have given orientation at my job, had to speak in front of an Army wives and hubbies group once, and in 6th grade, spoke in front of the whole school for a name dedication ceremony. I enjoyed the attention........but I was very nervous. I learned to slow down and look at different people in the audience.

Eye to eye contact is essential.

No:(

No, I don't think before I speak Weeder, and that's what gets me in trouble. The words come flying out of my mouth before my mind is in gear. That's my New Year's resolution....to think before I speak.

Far less when talking than when posting.

One of the beauties of posting is that I can edit out the mistakes (factual, grammatical and social) before I hit send - or even delete the post without sending if I get over it in time.

Often, when speaking, I should do but don't.

no i seem to get in to trouble with mine recently,

but like i told my mum, this is my time to rebel