The Gift of Kind Speech

     I saw this today, posted on a friends Facebook status:  Before you speak, THINK

                                                                                   T   is it TRUE?

                                                                                   H   is it HELPFUL?

                                                                                   I    is it  INSPIRING?

                                                                                   N  is it  NECESSARY?

                                                                                   K  is it  KIND?

     How much nicer would the world be if we all took the time to THINK before we spoke, and adhered to these simple guidelines?    I know that I am ever grateful for those who refrain from finding fault, meddling and engaging in remarks that are degrading.  

     I have been blessed to know quite a few people who seem to live by the counsel expressed in my friend's Facebook post--including the friend who posted it.  She, in fact, has always been a stellar example of speaking and acting in kindness.  Her life has been one of service, and of hardship.  If anyone had a reason to be edgy and critical, it would probably be her.   But she isn't, and prefers, instead, to look outward, blessing the lives of others and encouraging thoughtful, uplifting speech and involvement in causes that bless the lives of others.

     In the Old Testament we read, "my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, as the showers upon the grass"  (Deut. 32:2).   Think about those words for a moment.  Oh, that our speech would be so gentle and nourishing, so life giving.

    

     The gift of being able to speak is so precious, and it can lead to a more abundant and fulfilling life or it can cut and injure, and lead to heartache, depression and emotional death.  

    Use the gift of speech wisely.  Let your speech be an expression of appreciation for the many blessings in your life.  Let it lead to life and happiness for others.  In short, let your speech speak well of you!

TODAY'S INSPIRED QUOTATION: Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is. Publilius Syrus (Roman writer and poet.)

Your Sphere of Influence

     My nephew sent me a quotation that I felt would be fun and inspiring to share:  

"Life is not about the shoes you fill, it's about the lives that you change through the footsteps you take." Kelly K. Owens

     At times each of us will wonder if anything we do really makes a difference. We'll ask ourselves if anything we've said or done has given real encouragement, changed a life, relieved a heartache, lifted someone's spirit and helped them along.  I've found, through the feedback I've received in my life, that it's not the big things I've done that seem to have had an impact.  It's the little things.  As Kelly Owens quotation indicates, the individual footsteps.  And footsteps, of necessity, are small.  Our legs, after all, are only so long--and some of us have shorter legs than others.  However, be they the legs of a diplomat or a domestic, they still carry us along, getting us where we need to go--or into the muck of discouragement.

     I could say, "I'm only a mother," or "I'm only a wife, or a sister, or a daughter."  The important thing is not who I am in relationship to someone else, or even what I do to earn my daily bread.  The important thing is the how of  it.  How do I go about my roles in life?  I may not have a lot to say about the who of it.  My birth determined that I would be a daughter and a sister.  However, the kind of daughter I am, the kind of sister I choose to be is determined by me.  True also the kind of wife, mother, worker and friend.  What small steps am I taking, each day, to insure that those actions are an influence for good, taking me where I want to go?

     Dr. Wayne Dyer has said, "Concentrate on your sphere of influence, not your sphere of concern."  As I've pondered and tried to live his wise counsel, I've noticed a couple of important changes have occurred in my life:   

     I tend to leave my concerns to God.  I do this as I acknowledge that some things are just beyond my ability to fix.  I ask Him for guidance in my life, that He will lead me to answers or to acceptance of what, in His wisdom, is not supposed to be changed, at least not yet.  Maybe there is something I or someone else needs to learn.

    I also find that I simply go about each day trying to do the unspectacular things that will make the world a little brighter place.  As I've greeted life with a more grateful spirit, and a more positive disposition, I know I've been a happier person.  I believe that others around me have also been happier and more relaxed.  They've also expressed gratitude.

     One of my great delights has been to write this blog.  I have had nearly 1200 visits to date, and many very kind comments concerning the blog's content.  Knowing that I have helped to brighten someone's day, shared a thought that changed someone's perspective, reminded someone of a blessing, has been such a joy for me.  It has truly increased my happiness.  As I have taken the small footsteps to concentrate on this little sphere of influence, I have been blessed.

     So it can be for each of us.  The footsteps we take can be as simple as bringing a meal to someone recovering from an illness; sending a card; expressing our appreciation for a comment made in a meeting; offering a ride to someone who is going our way; patiently waiting on a loved one; leaving a note of kindness and gratitude on someone's pillow; doing the job that no one else wants to do.  There are a thousand ways to direct our footsteps in a path that will broaden our sphere of influence and encourage others to greater happiness and gratitude.  

     So, my encouragement is, don't be so concerned about your concerns--leave them to God, trusting He will give you guidance or send the help you need.  Simply be your best self, relax a little more with life.  Smile a little more with friends.  Trust a little more in God.  Know that the good you give out will not only be a positive influence in the lives of others, it will also make your life more happy and fulfilled.

TODAY'S  AWESOME  BLESSING:  My Grandchildren Were Over For Lunch Yesterday.  It Was Fun to Play Peek-a-Boo With My Grandson And Remember When My Own Children Were That Small.  What a Wonderful Season of Life That Was, And What a Wonderful Season of Life This Is.  And Who Can Count a Grandma's Influence?  There Are Simply No Times in Our Lives When We Cannot Be a Blessing to Our Family and Friends!

Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

     There is a hymn with the words, "Each life that touches ours for good, reflects thine own great mercy, Lord."  Sometimes, we are blessed to know someone whose life seems to be nothing but goodness, kindness, and concern for others.  

     Recently a friend, whom I've known for years, passed away.  He had lived a very good life of service and kindness.  He was especially kind to my family when I was a young child, and I always looked up to him as a sort of father figure, since my own father had died when I was eleven months old.  His name was Ray, and as I mentally scroll back over the years of our friendship, I can't say I ever remember anything negative about this good soul.  He was ever ready to lend a listening ear, give sound counsel and encouragement, and tell a funny joke or two.

     I believe it is rare to know someone who is so very good.  Most of us are so filled with flaws they sneak out when we'd rather they didn't, and reveal our most embarrassing weaknesses.  Most of us disappoint others, let them down, fail to live up to our end of some bargain.  I suppose that Ray may have had a fault or two; perhaps he also disappointed others at times in his life.  As for me, I can look back on my association with him as a clean slate, devoid of any errant markings of hurt of any kind.  

     I feel that in Ray I was blessed with a friend who was an example of what friendship and service is, at its best.  Because of him I can believe that there are incredibly good people who walk this earth and touch others in numerous, wonderful--even blessed--ways.  

     What an incredible gift that is!  Oh, that we would all have the blessing of a Ray in our lives.  It would make us try a little harder, serve a little more often, listen a little more patiently, love a little more deeply.  

     Thank you Ray, for your lasting impression on my heart.  It was a taste of heaven; a reason to believe in the goodness and mercy of God, and the goodness that is possible in all of us!

TODAY'S  GENTLE  ENCOURAGEMENT:  Think of all your friends and loved ones.  Is there a Ray in your life?  If yes, allow your heart to rejoice in gratitude that you know such a soul.   If not, become that kind of person to others.  They will bless you for it all the days of your life, and into eternity.