Mitch Carnell: COVID-19 Makes It Crucial to Be More Thoughtful with Your Words
“Can we switch families for the next phase of shelter in place?”
This tongue-in-cheek question reveals the perils of constant contact with the same person or persons. Before COVID-19, the complaint was that I do not have enough time for my family.
The pandemic has brought extra urgency for “Say Something Nice Day” on June 1, and “Say Something Nice Sunday” on June 7.
We need to be extra considerate with those with whom we share the same space.
Little annoyances we would hardly notice when rushing about following our daily pursuits get more annoying when we are spending day and night with the same people for weeks.
We need to be more careful with our words. Words are powerful. Words can bring hurt or healing.
During this unwanted pause in our lives, we need to take care that our words are comforting and healing. We do not want to contribute to further anxiety or stress.
Remember that noise, especially loud noise, increases tension. Loud voices sound angry. We want to avoid both.
Conspiracy theories raise anxiety levels, so be sure to review carefully all of the information you are sharing. People are already on edge about their jobs, their investments and their future employment.
This is a time for contemplation about what our future looks like. We know it will not be the same. There is no going back to yesterday and so much feels out of our control.
Yet, we always have the power to choose our words with care. Say kind things to those around you. Don’t pick a fight out of boredom. It is easy to do. This situation is no one’s fault.
We will get through this and will be better because we will have developed new skills, found new ways of doing things and experienced new ways to worship.
However, we must continue to believe in one another and keep the common good in mind.
Speak words of encouragement; speak them with sincerity and speak them often. We will overcome. You will be amazed at how helpful kind words can be when someone who cares speaks them.
No one is urging you to be insincere or dishonest. We are all being urged to be our best selves. These days are tough, but we have been through hard times before. We are stronger than any situation.
One day at a time might give way to one hour at a time or even one minute at a time.
Somewhere I read that we can tell ourselves, “I’ve got this moment. I don’t know about the next one, but I’ve got this one.” We are resilient.
Scripture tells us over and over, “Fear not.” Arthur Caliandro, the late pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, was fond of saying, “Be kinder than you think it necessary to be because the other person needs it more than you know.”
Our situation calls for us to be kinder. Our words are so important.
The pandemic has shown us once more that we are dependent on one another. The air we breathe connects us.
Let’s vow not to poison our air with hateful speech. Once ugly words are spoken, they cannot be recalled or erased. They are out there doing harm forever.
Why do we have “Say Something Nice Day” and “Say Something Nice Sunday”? We have them because we need them now more than ever.
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Mitch Carnell is a member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, South Carolina. He is the author of “Our Father: Discovering Family.” His writings can also be found at MitchCarnell.com.
Reposted with permission from EthicsDaily.com