Our words are powerful; they can be encouraging or damaging. Once you have spoken, it isn't easy to retract. Stop and think about what you are saying; ask yourself, "Is my message coming from a place of love and kindness?"
We have all been in situations where anger takes over, and we speak without thinking of our words' long-term impact. These actions may seem justified at the moment. Take time to reflect on how these incidents have served you in the past.
Personally, those moments have not served me well, even if I felt my words were truthful or necessary at the time. I did not stop and THINK about what I was saying, therefore negatively impacting the conversation. What have you experienced in the heat of the moment with your conversations? Were you listening, and did you think before talking?
That is where active listening comes into play. Active listening is making a conscious effort to pay attention in a conversation. And attempt to understand both parties' stance. The idea of active listening may seem simple, however, that isn't the case.
