July 4, 2007

Change the World: If You Can't Say Something Nice

published this at 6:32 am

Forgive the Guy You Don’t Like

Change the World!

One of the best things about growing up shy is that I became an observer. I watch people and the patterns in our behavior. Yeah, I watch myself too.

Sometimes we do this curious thing. It’s as if we have two dictionaries. One dictionary we use when we talk about people we love and people we think are good. The other we use when we talk about people who scare us, have hurt us, or for some reason we have decided are not good enough.

The first dictionary has the words forgiveness and compassion. The second does not. When we decide we don’t like someone enough, we pick up that second dictionary. We find words like righteous and noble and use them to talk about ourselves and our feelings. Our noble selves decide how other folks think, forgetting entirely that they are people who love their children too.

I think that’s why my mother said, “If you can’t say something nice . . . ”

It seems a small thing, but it’s not. Think of the difference it would make in a life if we lived by that rule.

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

______________
If you’re ready to change the world, send me your thoughts in a guest post. Feel free to take the gorgeous Change the World image up there that Sandy designed back to your blog. Or help yourself to this one.

Change the World!.

Email me about what you’re doing or what we might do. Let’s change the world one bit at a time together. Together it can’t take forever.

Filed under Motivation-Inspiration, Successful Blog | 11 Comments »


C'mon. Let's talk!

11 Comments to “Change the World: If You Can't Say Something Nice”

  1. July 4th, 2007 at 6:34 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi!
    Happy Fourth of July!

  2. July 4th, 2007 at 8:53 am
    David Zemens said

    It’s nice to step back and “Pay it Forward” once in a while, isn’t it? Thanks for the reminder, Liz.

  3. July 4th, 2007 at 9:47 am
    Chris Brogan... said

    Happy 4th to you, Liz, and thanks for all the great thoughts here. You’re really doing a heck of a job of putting up great, thoughtful posts. Best to you today.

  4. July 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am
    Ms. Q said

    Synchronicity in action! I came across this in the latest book I’m reading:

    Look at the word “forgiveness”. In the center are four letters “give.” There’s the clue. You must give to be free. The biggest gift you have to offer is love. Remember, you can’t give what you don’t already have. If you don’t have love within you, how can you give it? It starts with forgiving yourself.

  5. July 4th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi David!
    Thanks for stopping by on the holiday! :)
    Yeah if we could keep our minds on the future.

  6. July 4th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Chris,
    I’ll take all of the encouragement I can get. I’m soooooo under the weather. I need my head optimized. Of course, that’s so when I’m feeling fine, isn’t it? :)

    Have fun with the world today!

  7. July 4th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Ms. !
    What you say in that comment is so wise. I can’t give what I don’t have. Might I add, I can’t receive what I can’t see?

    We are a fascinating species . . . how we can go blind to what we don’t want to see. :)

  8. July 4th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
    Ev Nucci said

    Hi Liz!
    Brilliant, just brilliant. Fabulous Liz…truly!

  9. July 4th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
    GP said

    greetings on this most fortuitous Fourth. This so called out to me since i notice i judge when i feel hurt or ignored. So along with enjoying your birthday parfait, how’s about another read at this
    http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/2007/07/in-spirit.html

    GP in montana who’s last few days have definitely been on forgiveness, compassion.
    Thank you for another great entry

  10. July 4th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    I read your entry. How beautiful. I think I understand.

    It’s wisdom to notice that we judge when we’re afraid — hurt or ignored — when we feel like we’re not enough. Maybe if we had more forgiveness and compassion for ourselves . . .

    Liz in Chicago who values her friend in Montana

  11. July 5th, 2007 at 3:10 am
    aloysius said

    Happy Fourth of July! Hope to see your updated soon.

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!