The long-running local children’s show featured a man with a genial manner and entertaining style. He was truly one of the most beloved area personalities and hero of many a young’un, including me.
So, it surprised me when — in my teens — talking with someone who’d been an audience member years earlier, he said he didn’t like him. Why? Because, according to this person, he’d yelled at the kids to “shut up!” as a commercial break was ending and they were about to come back live.
Years later I got to know this man, both through working with his production company on a project and…while dating his daughter.
In my mind there was no way this gentle man, this genuinely kind human being, would’ve told a bunch of young audience members to “shut up!” It just seemed totally out of character for this person I’d gotten to know.
So, I asked him about it. As hoped, he assured me he did not say that. He did remember the incident because it had been the only time in all those many years he’d ever had to even slightly raise his voice to his audience at all. The children were very noisy as the show was about to come back live and — as much as the producers had tried — they couldn’t get the kids to stop.
With just seconds left before air time he — in his naturally deep voice — simply said, “Kids, quiet down!” and that was that. Silence. And just in time. It probably surprised them that that he even stepped in at all since that was the job of the producers.
But, back to the exact words. I mean, it was a long time ago. Could he possibly have said it and just not remembered?
“No, Bob. It’s not possible. And, you know how I know it’s not possible?”
“How?”
“Because it’s a word I never say. It was not allowed in my home growing up? And, we didn’t allow it in this home as our daughter was growing up. It’s simply not something I would ever, ever say.” (As a side note, same in the Burg home… thanks Mom and Dad.)
What a great lesson!
Have you ever said things to some people, or in certain contexts, that you just “know” you’d never say to other people or in other contexts?
Well, it’s not really so. If you would ever say something to someone in any situation, there is absolutely a great chance you would say it mistakenly to someone else or in some other situation. Even though you don’t think you would.
The only way you can ensure never doing so is if the word or expression itself is not part of your vocabulary.
If you would absolutely never say it, then you can indeed be sure and remember that you didn’t say it.
Otherwise…you might have.
What words or expressions have you consciously chosen to never say…ever!?
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So true. And very well put as always you are truly blessed with
your insights.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Merry Christmas
Kleve
Kleve: Thank you. And, thank you for your kind wishes. I’m Hannukah, but wishing you and yours a VERY Blessed and Merry Christmas!
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”
I can hear my grandmother saying this to me when I was a little boy. No disrespect to granny, but she was wrong.
Words CAN hurt…coming or going. After graduating from the Dale Carnegie course in Human Relations & Public Speaking, I never again uttered a “discouraging word” to my kids, my friends or even anyone who was mad at me….ever.
I’m no Art Linkletter, but it’s he’s a great person to study. If he was blogging, I’d subscribe.
Since he’s gone and you’re here, I think I’ll follow you.
Doug: Thank you for your kind feedback and for sharing that wisdom. So very true. And, yes, Art set a fantastic example, much like the person I referred to in the post. Great examples to follow!
♥…*He’s so excited, he can barely type*
Thank You Bob, for approaching a topic, that’s so near & dear to my Heart 😉
I hold the belief “Words release bio-chemicals, The 1st Agreement is important, The quality of our lives is the quality of our words, We are the fruit of our words, and Label is not experience but experience becomes the label we give it”, so as you may be able to see, I’m Passionate about your POV 🙂
Given the choice between Chromography & Geography to describe members of Team-Humanity, I choose the latter! Between Compassionate & toxic communication, I choose the former, and when in doubt I employ the motto “Accentuate the Unity, before Celebrating the Diversity”
Sincerely, SiMBa (Spirit, Mind, & Body, with inspiration and abundance mixed in, aka Tony)
Tony: Thank you. Your words and feedback are always kind and uplifting. And, very, very wise! 🙂
I can not tell you, because I never say it. Have you ever tasted my granny’s soap? 🙂
Amy: Fortunately I haven’t, or I’d never say it either…whatever it is! LOL!