Why do we speak?
11:47am, Friday February 23, 2024
Why do you speak? Why do you transition from silence, which occurs when you refrain from taking action, to speaking, which involves taking action?
You make a conscious choice to do so.
Each time you speak, you are making a decision to engage. This decision may happen in a fraction of a second, but it is still a choice to move from inaction to action.
So, why do you choose to speak? This is the current debate, yet the obvious initial step seems to be overlooked. We are not obliged to interact with bullies or abusers, regardless of how much they insist we do.
If someone insults you, you are not obligated to respond or react. Others do not have a right to demand our reactions. Just because a question is posed does not mean you are obligated to answer.
Saying, “I spoke because someone forced me to,” is always a false claim. I spoke because someone or something placed me in a situation where a choice had to be made.
We may be pressured, manipulated, and influenced to make decisions, but can we truly be made to? Even under a life or death threat, we still retain the power of choice.
No one has ever entered my being and compelled me to speak against my will. People have manipulated me through propaganda, gaslighting, etc., more times than I care to admit, but I still possessed the power of choice, even if momentarily forgotten.
That is the essence of manipulation. It seduces us into a realm where we surrender our will to another’s. It does not strip us of our will. It deceives us into giving it away. Even the act of relinquishing it is an act of will.
Every choice we make is our own. Every time we speak, it is our own action.
So, reflect on this. Why do you speak? Why do you break the silence when you do? Have you ever pondered this? I beg you to take a few minutes to consider it.
Consider someone insults you. Why react? Perhaps to express how their words impacted you, but why notify them? We inform others when offended to provide them a chance to understand and make amends, but they are not obligated to do so.
We offer them a chance to apologize, but not everyone will seize that opportunity; it is not guaranteed but rather a possibility. Expecting decency from others is naïve and entitled. You are not entitled to an apology; you are indicating that if no apology is offered, the relationship may suffer.
Before delving too deeply into that discussion, I will conclude today’s blog here. I believe each time we speak, we are exercising our will. Blaming others for our actions is twisted and incorrect. Just as nobody makes you experience emotions, but you react with feelings to stimuli, nobody forces you to speak, but you respond with words.
Words are tools, and we are the wielders of those tools. The power always resides with the wielders. If you claim others make you feel or do things, you are implying you are a tool manipulated by others. You are not; you are a wielder who has been misled into thinking they are a tool.
To be obedient is a choice. Even when it’s life or death it’s still a choice, life or death. How you feel about it doesn’t change that truth. You always have a choice. And you choices are your responsibility.
Your words are your choice.
We are Geppettos, not Pinocchios, including all the Geppettos who have been deceived into believing they are Pinocchios.
Stay mindful
InteGritti
