Take TIME

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the importance of listening. Listening to what others are really saying and taking the time to stop and listen to ourselves. Why do we sometimes say what we say? I think it is because we speak before we think. I fear that I am often guilty of listening while at the same time thinking of what I want to hurry and say next rather than just actively listening. I want to be sincere in my conversations but this tendency causes me to interrupt. Interrupting causes me to feel frustrated with myself and I fear it may appear as insincere to others. Hopefully I'm not the only one who feels this way or sometimes finds myself struggling in this arena so I thought I'd share what I have concluded.

It is essential to take TIME to think before you speak. So here is the little acronym I came up with. Before you speak take the TIME to ask yourself:
T= is it True?
I= is it Important?
M= is it Meaningful?
E= what Effect will it have?

It is amazing the power our words really have. Once said they can not be taken back. Whether uplifting, degrading, insightful or gossip, they are powerful but they are also ours. Since I have been more actively aware of thinking before I speak I have noticed the power I have over deciding what I do and don't say. Sometimes I have a really cool comment but the time is not appropriate and simply refraining from saying what I'm thinking has been wise. Other times I have recognized a need to say something and felt happy I shared it. I think I want to be remembered as one who used her words for good. Thus starting today I am going to make a greater effort to think before I speak and think about what I say. Better yet I think I will say less and listen more!