Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet, frigid, Home Alabama!
This morning, I am not going to tell you anything you do not know. My sole hope this morning is to remind you of a simple truth and to encourage you in all your interactions.
Gautama Buddha once said, “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” So wise! The words you and I speak matter…greatly!
I have the honor and privilege in my work to meet so many truly remarkable women and men. It never ceases to amaze me how so many stories start with, “So and so told me…” People had spoken life into them, they received it, and it forever altered the trajectory of their lives. Time after time when I met with physicians I heard about a teacher when they were in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade who had told them that they could see them being a physician one day. And because of the life-giving words of these thoughtful educators, not only were there lives filled with passion and purpose, can you imagine the number of people whose suffering has been alleviated and lives saved? Our words matter! I have spoken to so many people who are making a real difference in this world, across vastly different vocations, who have a story about someone believing in them, encouraging them, speaking faith into the dark, encouraging the person to keep going despite the obstacles, situations, and/or setbacks. Yes Friends, our words matter.
It happened again earlier this week. I was meeting with a gentleman who is near the end of his career. He has a family, he has achieved a lot in his career, and he was telling me how he needs to find a high school teacher to tell him “Thank you” for believing in him and encouraging him. He stated that it all started with that one person and the words he spoke to him.
Please Friends, don’t ever forget, our words matter. As Napoleon Hill wisely stated, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”
I also want to encourage us to look for the good in others, no matter how much dirt we must move to see it! If I stumble and fall, I guarantee you I don’t need you to tell me I stumbled and fell…nor do you! I certainly don’t need you to laugh at me or ridicule me. We all have failing moments, tough days, and difficult circumstances. Instead of pointing out the weakness in another, let's look for the strengths – we all have both! It is a matter of choosing what we will focus on and, as we all know, what we choose to focus on grows.
I don’t mean to get all philosophical this morning however all this – life – is not that complicated. We would be wise to remember the saying many of us were taught when we were young; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” And I can assure you, though people have tried for centuries, tearing someone else down will never make us stand taller.
I want to close with two quotes that I respectfully ask you to ponder and decide, what will your influence be?
“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words, we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive.” – Betty Eadie
“The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.” – Brian Tracy
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!
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