I came across a lens this week that really got me thinking. It's not like I haven't thought about the concept before. It was more about the timing than anything. Let me explain . . .

The lens is Taming the Tongue by Kapalbility. It's all about choosing your words carefully. What I find interesting about the timing is that there's so much information out there these days on improving and changing our thinking but not a whole lot about what follows from that – - our words.

An unknown source said:

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

Our words are that powerful. They impact our own lives and the lives of others. They can build up, or tear down.

All the world's major religions – - Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism & Islam – - address taming the tongue and Kapalbility highlights some of these on his lens. It's an ancient teaching. Yet, there's so much hate and negativity spewed out in our world. So much tearing down, rather than building up. So much reactivity, rather than intelligent responding. So much focus on all of this, rather than on the good.

That's what this lens got me thinking about.

Now, there are a couple of common reactions to the idea of taming the tongue. One is that it's just about not using curse words. Personally, I think this misses the point. Another common reaction is that it means that we have to hold in our thoughts, feelings and opinions. But I don't think that's the case. We just have to take time to consider how we're saying things. Expression in kindness and emotional maturity is the key, I think.

Kapalbility says something very important. He says to consider whether the words we're about to say will add value or not. Something very similar is taught in "The One Minute Millionaire" when Robert Allen & Mark Victor Hansen advise us to choose our words carefully. They add, "If it doesn't serve, don't say it." In other words, watch your words and make sure they add value.

What do you have to say on the subject?

Visit: Tame That Tongue

We should strive to find peaceful surroundings and if they are not already available, then we should make our own harbor of refuge that will wait for our return.

It is with pleasure that I announce our new Wednesday writer. If you've been around Squidoo for any length of time, you have probably heard of Carrie White, aka inkserotica. Carrie has been on Squidoo for just over two years and has proven herself not only as a compelling writer but as a community-minded participant. [...]