For Your Convenience...Say What you Mean!

It's funny how some things just catch your eye...a sexy looking man, kids playing, or some event unfolding. Then there is the dumb stuff-- take the elevator sign posted today on my way into work. It read, "Elevator Servicing in Progress...For your Safety and CONVENIENCE do not use."

I had to laugh because in one way I believe that my higher power was telling me to utilize the stairs to remind me of the New Year's resolution to take the weight off...But seriously, if the elevator is out of service, shouldn't it say for your INCONVENIENCE and safety -- Take the stairs?

My son told me about a business deal gone bad -- apparently a company was profiting from the sale of a particular brand of cereal. They wanted to market the same cereal in another country. The advertising executive that created the box design utilized an on-line translation service. The cereal did not sell. The advertising executive said that more advertising was needed so the company invested more money but still no sale. When they talked with country locals about why it was not selling they asked if the company had looked at the box -- The name of the cereal as translated, "Burnt Farmer". Is it a wonder it didn't sell?

Then there is email and text communication -- how many times have you written something and sent by email or text only to have the person respond very differently from how you intended -- too often we don't say what we really mean!

It's true in many of our relationships that we don't mean what we say -- how many times have you told your kids, "I'm not doing that again!" to only turn around and do the same thing, again! If your a parent and have been for any period of time and your kids are old enough, you may have heard the blood curdling scream, "I hate you!" as the door slams shut. Do they really hate you?

In my last relationship, things were going great we were moving forward, making plans and one night as we said good-night, the words, "I love you!" were spontaneously uttered. That one I meant! But as the relationship began it's downward spiral I would find myself saying the words, "I love you." but no meaning was behind them -- they were just words.

We have the ability to communicate clearly -- we have the ability to allow our words to translate our emotions. Be kind to one another. Speak what you feel and mean it. Once the words leave your lips they have been set free for all to hear -- the printed message for all to read.

Lesson Learned:  Say What You Mean...Mean What You Say!