| | Be Careful What
You Say
A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their
froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs
gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When
they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was
hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves
for their fate, because they were as good as dead.
Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began
to jump with all of their might. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting
that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good
as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after
several hours of desperate effort were quite weary.
Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his
fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay
down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless
grief. The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had,
although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His
companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and
just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and - wonder of wonders!
Finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit.
Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and
then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told
you it was impossible?" Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained
to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he
thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement
inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.
This simple story contains a powerful lesson. The book of
Proverbs says, "There is death and life in the power of the tongue."
Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that
destroy someone's desire to continue trying - or even their life. Your
destructive, careless word can diminish someone in the eyes of others, destroy
their influence and have a lasting impact on the way others respond to them.
Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help him or her make it through
the day.
Be careful what you say. There is enormous power in words. If
you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement - speak them now to, and
about, others. Listen to your heart and respond. Someone, somewhere, is waiting
for your words... _____________________________________________ Send
in your comments or suggestions at [email protected]
|