Speak Easy

Warning:  words can be dangerous to one’s health, use with great care and caution.  Seriously.  In today’s world with social media being what it is, a misspoken word or an “oops, what did I just say” post can bring on an unimaginable fallout.  Then you’re known as the person who said:  “#$%$#@,” and your reputation is toast. 

The internet is a place that coexists with the real world and everyone is connected.  It’s a virtual recreation room to where most escape the pressures of the everyday.  Look about during lunchtime in the big city, after a picnic at the small town park, in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.  Everyone has their smart phone in hand, walking, sitting, living and breathing while navigating a personal screen.  The internet is everywhere…but one wrong word and “bam,” you become the butt of all jokes…you become the poster child known for inappropriate comments.  You kick yourself too…until someone else mutters something that pulls the unfavorable attention onto them.

I remember back in the day when a fellow student of mine was put on the spot during a social studies game that our teacher invented to encourage our class to follow the newspaper.  Miss Honey would rattle off a variety of questions as each team would gain points using their knowledge of current events.  A young girl with all eyes upon her misspoke the name of a rock star.   Rock and roll wasn’t her thing so she didn’t know, so what. 

In the world of adults, not a big deal, but in the world of fifth graders, she became a target.  Her “oops, what did I just say” brought on ridicule for days if not weeks.  The boys who deemed themselves “cool” were the worst to her.  I felt great sadness for her plight as did many…because we all knew that we could easily be walking in her shoes.  Fortunately, she had our support in deflecting the fallout away from her.  It’s what we did, we had each other’s backs but on the internet no one is that lucky. 

That was one classroom of thirty people who she had to face.  Imagine Twitter, Facebook…and how things go “viral.”  It would be what that young girl experienced but amplified from a whisper to a shout worldwide.  Embarrassment, humiliation all with the brightest spotlight shining on center stage as the unfortunate person slides away into the shadows wanting nothing but for those careless words to disappear.  What happens to them after?  Do they live a lifetime of silence?  Do they throw their smart phones into the garbage and set forth free and clear of social media?

The thought of the “oops” is frightening.  I’ve always struggled with adhd to where many details are often a hair beyond my ability.  When I write I spend a great amount of time looking things up and making certain “familiar sayings” are used properly.  Ask my family, when I speak I lack eloquence.  I’m the rusty Studebaker driven down a country road without any shocks left.  I often laugh with them chalking it up to a simple brain glitch preventing me from conveying my thoughts like everyone else.

The “slowing things down” to communicate is part of the reason I enjoy writing.  I can navigate at a speed way below the limit and avoid all bumps in the road while making sure I have it right.  If only real life worked that way.  I imagine if we could take a moment to consider who our words might impact, who our “little jokes” might offend, we’d put on the brakes and simply change directions to spare hurt feelings and the world a verbal “accident.”

Why do we suffer from word speed?  Why do we drive our words so fast, putting them out there without considering the impact or the unintended double meaning?  I believe it all boils down to the “like” button.  Most have become obsessed with the instant gratification that happens when a bunch of people say, “yes, I get it, I’m with you…well, said!” 

Everyone wishes to be liked and admired.   When we see that something we’ve put out there has been appreciated…it’s a lift, it’s a high. 

“Do you do drugs?”

“ No, I’m addicted to saying things and being acknowledged with a massive number of “likes.” 

“Really?”

“Yes, no, maybe….who knows?”

“Like me” and it reinforces my quick wit and charm.  I’ll say more and take greater risks next time. 

There seems to be a cost for everything though.  One misspoken word and a flock of birds appear bombing the poor unfortunate person with more than they bargained for.  An umbrella is of no use…those words, we own them and they remain ours to carry until they lose power and fall into an inert pile of forgotten.

Consider this however, what if we took all of those quips and tweaked them so they made a different sort of impact?  What if we began to speak in a way that only spread good will towards others?  Compliments, lifts, happy thoughts…all geared for the consideration of other people…and what we conveyed was sincere, true and with the intention for betterment.  Would that even be possible?  The impact of a smiling word…and the words coming back around to us would be smiling too.

I know life isn’t all gum-drops and fairy-tales but what if it could be?  What if it all began with this blog today?  Can one person make a difference by what they say?  Can one thought change the world?  I dare to imagine.  I dare you to imagine…and then I say, speak easy with a smiling word…and let’s see what happens on the great turn about on Internet Highway.