trickle down
August 16, 2010 | Family: Nurturing Family, Feelings: Intentional freedom
I don’t want to live so carefully that I forget to laugh and love and impulsively grab the moment, but I don’t want to live as if my words and choices don’t matter either.
More than anything I have come to realize that what I say and do has a trickle down effect.
My actions affect those I love.
My words are packed with punch and power — to do good, or to do harm.
The trickle down effect takes place when I don’t take responsibility for those words or actions when they adversely affect my love ones emotionally, or even spiritually.
Living free intentionally means that I weigh my words. I say I’m sorry when I screw up. I use my words to encourage, lift up, delight, pray, humor, love, and speak truth with grace.
Living free intentionally means that when my actions cause another person to trip, to question their worth, to hurt without resolution, to feel alone or isolated while they wait for me to cool down or come to my senses, that I stop and reconsider a healthier way to work through the issue. To not shoot from the hip but from the mind and heart as I see the whole person, the whole situation.
Because these things matter. In the long run, they are the culmination of our relationships, the fabric of our family.
Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
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Starting the second week of school, so this was just what I needed to read!
August 16th, 2010 at 7:36 pmGreat words of wisdom. I like to think of the ripple affect.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:17 pmFunnily enough, I was just in a training session at work that referred to the same closing quote you did. Words have power. There is no doubt about it!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:14 pmThis is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have let the chaos of life take over. Busy with work, school, life in general. I have become impatient with my children and let things make me crazy that should not. Thank you for the smack on the head. Today is the start of a change for the better.
August 25th, 2010 at 11:30 am