Has anyone of us ever taken a moment at the end of the day to reflect on the words that we had uttered throughout the entire course of the day? If so, how many of us can truly say that we have not said a single word that has cause hurt to someone?

There is a saying that goes like this, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me.” Truth is, words causes more hurt than sticks and stones ever will. For physical injuries will heal over time…emotional wounds sometimes never.

Rosa was just a student of 18. Rumors went out that her boyfriend and her had premarital sex. Two weeks later, Rosa failed all her subjects in college and dropped out of school. They never did. Miriam was a distinguished attorney, someone whispered that she was selling her cases, her reputation was ruined. But it wasn’t true.  Joseph found a discarded wallet by the roadside. Someone saw him and accused him to be a pickpocket and thief…he was never able to get a job after that, Amy had a bracelet identical to the one Judy had lost, so Amy must have stolen it….I can go on and on and on to give examples of situations like this where innocent lives have been ruined because of accusations so freely thrown to the wind.

Are they far fetch? I think not. They are all so real, as real as the seat you are sitting on and the air you breathe.

What would motivate people to be so destructive? Why would anyone in his/her sound mind willfully defame another person? Only the person concern can tell. But science will call it by many names…projection, transference, paranoia and the Bible simply calls it SIN.

For certainly there are many people who will not be happy till he sees his fellow man suffer and fall. There are those who cannot sleep till they have done their quota of mischief for that day. There are hands that will not be idle till innocent blood is shed. And of course there are those who make a living out of making “intriga” to people around them.

My sincerest wish to mankind is that the day of reckoning will soon come for all. There is much goodness around if we will take time to stop and look. I wish that more people will take time to understand each other, to see each other’s needs, to realize that it is easier to build up than to tell down...ask any demolition crew.

Life is too short to be embroiled in such things. God gave us all things to enjoy…family, friends, nature. God gave us two hands to do good, to help others, to support, to share. Let’s do it. God gave us two eyes to witness and behold, let us look and appreciate. God gave us two ears to hear, so let us listen and learn. But God gave us only one mouth and one tongue. Let us speak with care and control our tongue. God gave us one heart to feel, so let us be understanding and considerate of the feelings of others. Let us not be so hasty to judge, condemn and gossip without sound evidences and proper information.

I think the mother of Thumper, the rabbit in Walt Disney’s Bambi said it best…”If you have nothing good to say about another person, do not say anything at all”.

As the millennium draws to a close, let us make peace with ourselves and pour fellow man. As the country and the world seek for peace, let us be a part of it,  by starting right here, right now...let us all not be so hasty nor rejoice to pull another down. Enough of the crab mentality, enough of strive, enough of broken lives.

Let us all greet the new era with a pure heart. J

© CyberScouts: Joanna Faith's Girl Scout Page
All Rights Reserved 1999

last updated 11/14/99