Controlling your words

In Dead Poet Society, Robin Williams said, “Avoid using the word ‘very’ because it is lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do.”

If you want to become a more effective communicator, a better spouse, parent, friend, leader, co-worker you have to control the words you use. You can start learning to control your words by choosing not to swear.

Be wary of those who particularly swear a lot. They have a harder time controlling their emotions. If you have a harder time controlling you emotions, you have a harder time controlling your actions.

Have you ever noticed those who are quick-tempered tend to swear on every occasion whether he is excited or upset?

It is because swearing can numb us from how we express ourselves. You can’t communicate peace using the same tool to express violence. People that tend to swear on a regular basis have a harder expressing in words how they are feeling. So the cycle moves from demeaning words to abusive actions.

Try going a day without swearing. Then a week. See if it makes a difference.