Thinking Before Speaking

Have you made the error of asking when someone's baby is due only to find out that the lady is not pregnant or that she had her baby a month ago? You usually make that mistake one time before learning to be more careful. Eric didn't seem to learn. He usually ended up sticking his foot in his mouth.Eric struggled to lose weight. He tried diet plans and consulted with his doctor. He decided to join a fitness club to try losing weight. Talking about it at work, he made the mistake of saying: “They even have classes for new moms. You should try it, Elaine. It could really help you.”Elaine's indignant response left Eric wishing he could crawl in a hole. He couldn't believe what he had said. He knew what it was like to be overweight and to have people make comments. If only he could retrieve those words. But it was like trying to catch tadpoles in a fishnet.Once words leave your mouth, it is impossible to take them back. It would be easier to eat soup with a fork than to retrieve your words once they are spoken. It is your responsibility to carefully monitor what you say. Avoid saying hurtful things for lack of forethought. Careless comments can separate friends and create walls of offense. Learn to speak words of encouragement and politeness. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply be silent and listen.Try This: Before you speak, think how people will perceive your comments. Don't always say the first thing that pops into your head. Create a new habit: when you see someone, think of something nice about him or her: These attitudes and words will come out naturally in your conversations with them and when talking to others.