Once you squeeze toothpaste out, you can’t put it back in the tube. The same is true with our words.
Once we say something hurtful, we can’t take it back. Well, if a person never makes a mistake in what
he/she says, that person is perfect. The point? No one has complete control of the tongue. Sometimes
people could take what you say the wrong way. However, one way to make peace is to apologize.
Of course, it’s good to prevent a situation in the first place so that you won’t need to apologize.
How can you do that?
1. Before you say anything, ask yourself these questions: ‘Is this going to improve the situation?
How is what I say going to affect the person, I’m talking to? If you doubt what you’re about to say,
you probably shouldn’t say it.
2. Try to think about the impact it will have on those around you.
3. Be swift about hearing, and slow about speaking.
4. Try not to take yourself too seriously; that way you won’t easily be offended in the first place.
5. Go for a walk. It gives you a chance to be alone for a bit and gives you time to calm down.
6. Every battle must not be fought or won. It is better to let things roll off your back.
7. If someone is yelling and you don’t say anything back, the person will eventually get tired of your lack of response.
Be just. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
8. Don’t react immediately. Take some time and you will realize how pointless your response and words would have been.
9. Try to see things from the other person’s viewpoint. Only respond in the context of what caused the
present squabble, not the past.
Exercising self-control when it comes to controlling our tongue could be so challenging especially if you are quick-tempered. Making up your mind and making a commitment to control the words that come out of your mouth will surely pay off.