Gossip Is Enormously Destructive
We frequently hear little jokes about gossips, like the two people who were walking and one said, “I can’t tell you anymore. I have already told you more than I heard.” In that line is much of the tragedy about gossip, which can, and often has, destroyed a person’s reputation. Gossip always damages relationships, specifically with the person you are gossiping about. For example, once you have said something unkind about a person, you will feel uncomfortable around them and your relationship with them will suffer.
Before we disseminate information that might be considered gossip, we must carefully ponder three questions: Number one, is it the truth? If it fails the first test, then it is not repeatable. Number two, even if it is the truth, do you really need to share it? Will it help anyone? Will it hurt anyone? Would it be better left unsaid? If there are no benefits to anyone, then what possible purpose could repeating it serve? Number three, is it kind? In our world so full of cynicism and skepticism, will repeating this story be kind? Would it be better left unsaid? Would you really be better off repeating this information? When you analyze it this way, your chances of being a gossiper are dramatically reduced.
When you consider the benefits of stopping gossip in its tracks, you will discover they are substantial. First, you do not damage yourself, which means that your reputation and esteem are untarnished. That is good. Second, you won’t harm someone else’s reputation. This means that your circle of friends will be larger. Since most of us do not have any friends we would like to lose. kAkA.hUnTeR
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them.
spoke at : 7/10/2008 11:45:00 AM