Muted Mondays

It’s a new day, a new week, a new month, a new start, new mercies, new mysteries…

My week is off to an awesome start. I am so grateful to God for the suffering and learning to surrender. In light of that, I did some soul searching. I shared my answers to the F4 challenge, one of which is my mouth. I speak my mind; taking on more things than I have time for, defending others, and fighting for my position in life and especially the workplace. Guess who was on mute today??? *raises hand* ME!

God deals with me in themes. My current theme (it’s a repeat) is my mouth; gotta learn to tame this tongue. Have you ever thought about what you have spoken into existence? The blessings you’ve blocked? The bad things you’ve wished on others? The things you say when you’re in your feelings??? It scares me when I think of my thoughts, even more so when I try to recall my words…

Another reminder occurred this past Saturday. I was in a suit store chatting with my usual rep and fussing at Kam simultaneously. My rep comes back and says, “I have good news and bad news.” I replied, “Out with the bad news, the good news will make it alright, then I will make a decision.” Midway through her good news, I spouted out “No need to spend so much money and time, let’s go with that one.” Disclaimer: I don’t like disclaimers (good news/bad news); just give me my options.

Meanwhile, another rep came over and introduced herself to me…out of the blue. She explained that she had to meet me because of my “demeanor and no non-sense attitude.” She further explained that she had a problem speaking her mind or as she put it “I will hurt your feelings.” I giggled. In that moment, I cringed...MIRROR MOMENT! I saw glimpses of myself. I was thinking, “Lord what did I say?” I asked if I had been rude. She said “No.” I explained that I shared her sentiment of speaking my mind, especially in the workplace. Far be it from me to allow anyone to insult my intelligence. I also shared that I have been working on it…

My method now is to take a deep breath, give eye contact, nod that I understand, and ask for a moment. She said, “You have no idea how you’re helping me right now.” Truth is, she had no idea how she had helped me. You cannot take the words back. Words have power. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

What can I do about it now? I can TRY to do better. I will train my mouth to wait on my brain and pray before I respond.

Communicate. Capacity. Character.

CHANGE…before you have to. 

#MutedMonday