Weight

At some point in everyone's life, weight is an issue. Do we weigh too much? Do we need to put on a few pounds? These are two of the basic questions with which we all grapple. This is certainly true for me. In fact, hardly a day passes when the matter of my weight does not flash across my own internal radar screen. But when it comes to communication, there is a different kind of weight with which we should all be concerned all the time. I am talking about the weight of our words and the messages or signals we send out to others. Make no mistake, what we communicate, particularly with certain audiences, carries much weight; in some cases, more than we realize or even intend.

Words do matter. Sticks and stones may indeed break bones but words and other forms of communication also can have a significant impact: positive and negative. This is why it is important for all of us to pay attention to what we say and how we say it. This does not mean we should necessarily hold back on our thoughts or opinions. Rather, we need to be sensitive to the fact there is more to communicating than simply getting something off our chest. Sure, it may make us feel better, but what about those around us? By definition, communication represents an act of inclusion, an act of bringing others into our sphere. It should not be seen merely as an act of self-indulgence.

Any time any of us communicate, we need to be sensitive to the reality that what we emit is not about us. Our audience, whether it is one person or an entire population, is part of the mix as well. So even if our words are driven by pure emotion, the more we can measure their possible impact on others, the more likely they are to add to the interaction rather than damage or derail. I understanding maintaining this kind of sensitivity to others may make the fundamental act of communicating more challenging, but the pay off makes the extra effort worth it.