Therefore encourage one another and build up each other. –St. Paul
That was from the readings in church yesterday, and it echoes a little note at the pool that someone put on the bulletin board reminding swimmers not to say mean things, rather to be encouraging and build people up rather than tear them down. Words matter, the note says, and then, and I don’t think this is a coincidence– in preparing for tonight’s assembly meeting on a proposed timber sale at Mud Bay that could get testy, I checked in with my copy of Choosing Civility by P.M. Forni and randomly opened to this: “Speaking with consideration and kindness is at the heart of civil behavior. To speak kindly you need to be aware constantly that you are speaking to living, breathing, vulnerable human beings. The very thought that your words might cause unnecessary hurt or discomfort should inform every conversation…Speaking with kindness you will improve the lives of those around you. Your words can inspire others.”
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other.. Hmmm. It’s worth a try isn’t it? And honestly it’s cold out there, so why not try to generate a little warmth with light rather than heat?
