Naptime Blog

Continuing with the theme of last week’s post, I chose the topic of conservation and preservation. Those two words have several meanings and I am sure you are thinking of several right now. Let’s think first about environmental connotations. When you conserve a resource, you preserve it for future generations. You can choose not to use something or use it with restraint, thereby conserving it and preserving it for additional or future use.

Now, how about socially? When you conserve or use restraint when voicing your opinion you sometimes achieve more than when you use it or express it. I have seen plenty of situations where I thought in no uncertain terms, “she really should have kept her mouth shut” when I read a post or some comment. Not only does it reflect directly on you but it biases people to you and your whole personality. I am not saying that if something deserves a negative comment that you should not say it. I am saying that words should have substance and meaning and not be hollow.

Many people thrive in conflict. Those people probably have poor self esteem or an ego that hardly fits in their own skin. Those are the people that everyone likes to watch to see what happens. But do you really trust that person? Do you value their opinion or are you watching with morbid curiosity to see just how low they will sink and how much they will corrupt their own values to make a point?

Would that person better have served themselves and their social community by conserving their words and preserving their dignity?

I know these are all common sense thoughts and seem like fluff but how many times have you heard the saying “Common sense isn’t so common”. Really think about what you are saying when you say it, you not only will conserve some oxygen but you may preserve your own character.  I really do have to force myself to live by my own words sometimes but I always recall a little plaque my grandparent’s had in their house. It looked like a safety warning label and it said “Be sure brain is engaged, before putting mouth into gear!”

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/