“My name is Gossip.
I have no respect for justice.
I maim without killing.
I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cunning, malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.
I flourish at every level of society.
My victims are helpless.
They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.
To track me down is impossible.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
I am nobody’s friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.
I spawn suspicion and generate grief.
I tore families apart and
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses.
I make headlines and headaches.
I am called Gossip.
You know the famous phrase we all have heard. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? In our hearts, we know this is not true, even though it may be a useful attitude to take when insulted by others.
Words do tremendous damage. So unless you’ve been a victim of violent crime or of a major illness or something else catastrophic, your deepest pains have probably come from hurtful words..
Gossip is a six-letter word that produces emotions of excitement, pain or guilt, depending on if you are the gossiper, or if you are the one being gossiped about.
So how do we use this power of words with others?
Do our words lift and inspire, or do they destroy?
T –Is it True?
H –Is it Helpful?
I –Is it Inspiring?
N –Is it Necessary?
K –Is it Kind?
Finally, remember the little saying that tells us what kind of minds we have: Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” ~ Author unknown
Art Credit: Neil Toulch, “Gossip Girls”
