WORDS are powerful. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21a,KJV). What we say may either build a person up or tear him down. We can use words to thank, encourage, affirm or praise another person for their kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity or forbearance.
However, by the same tongue we could ride roughshod over other people’s feelings with words that condemn, ridicule, insult or character-assassinate them. Alarmingly, there are horrific real life stories of how tactless and negative words had triggered people to commit suicide.
That said, in some instances, our refrain from speaking or silence in itself could speak more than words. We can do better to improve on how to use words for good and in a manner which is befitting each and every person and situation thereto. Remember, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11, KJV)
Be it positive or negative, ATTITUDE could make a world of difference when we face difficulties, challenges or seemingly insurmountable problems in life. As Sir Winston Churchill has said, “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
For illustration, we can take a leaf from the proverbial three bricklayers. Asked what he was doing, the first bricklayer said that he was laying bricks under the hot sun. The second bricklayer has a broader perspective and said that he was building a wall. The third bricklayer paused and said, with a twinkle in his eye, that he was constructing a cathedral.
Attitude or the lack of it could stem from whether we can see a desired outcome or goal in spite of our present reality. It has to do with having an enlarged perspective and a greater vision of the future. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18a; KJV)
Do not mess with TEMPTATIONS. Flee from them without any second thoughts. A glance at the dictionary would define temptation as “the act of enticement to do wrong, by promise of pleasure or gain”.
One of the best illustrations of temptation which I can recall vaguely is on how the hunters would entice wild animals with meat wrapped around a blade. As the animal feed on in a frenzy of hunger, they will unwittingly take the bait and succumbed to it.
To have a less troublesome life, it is best to steer clear of temptations and rehearse our counter-approach in advance so that they can kick-in automatically. For example, I like buying books and have more books than I can read. My strategy is to resist the temptation of stopping by bookshops and banish the thoughts of entering another bookshop, at least, until I have cleared my modest line-up of books left unread.
Not too long ago, there was this ingenious advertisement for MasterCard where it says to the effect that there are some things which money can’t buy; for everything else, there is MasterCard.
Well, CHARACTER is truly something which money cannot buy. It has been said that while a person can be promoted to a high position, it is his character which enables him to stay at the top.
What is character? According to Hellen Keller, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
Character is non-negotiable and sacrosanct for a life well-lived. Ralph Waldo Emerson reckoned that: “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.” Higher than the aforesaid, Billy Graham observed that: “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”
In short, be true to oneself and walk the talk regardless of whether other people are watching or not -- that’s integrity of character in a nutshell.
Apart from ourselves, we need to keep an eye on our HOUSEHOLD which could mean our own family and/or our extended family. The family is the basic building block of society and the health of our nation would depend on the values and lifestyle we impart to our children and how well we keep a lookout for one another in the family.
As it is, the pressures of life can weaken family ties if we do not actively make time for the family. (Believe it or not, computer-addiction have caused some few young parents to neglect their babies.) In addition, a small minority is trying to hoodwink us that there is an alternative to the conventional family structure of one man and one woman.
By staying emotionally connected in a supportive family environment, we could live a happier life. And, by maintaining and perpetuating the conventional family structure, we would help to stabilize our society rather than mess things up even further.
The aforesaid W.A.T.C.H. is by no means comprehensive. For instance, ‘H’ could also stand for Health. Nevertheless, we can use W.A.T.C.H. as a reminder to use words wisely, keep a great attitude with proper perspective, flee from temptations, uphold the commendable aspects of our character at all costs and take care of our household. Happy sailing!
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