In conversation, what we hear is not necessarily what has been said. The spoken word can be misunderstood when filtered through the fears, opinions and pre-conceptions of its audience.
Intent is not always immediately obvious. Confusion results. Unresolved confusion can lead to conflict and conflict to mental anguish. There is a danger that twisted perception can add to general anxiety. Innocent words can be weaponised in the minds of those within earshot.
While there is a fine line between chosen analysis and deliberate ignorance, the two can be blended in ways that can become damaging.
There are some things that we hear and read that do not ring true and call out for investigation. At the same time much of what happens around us can be taken at face value. Sometimes though it can be more than a little difficult to tell the difference.
Unless previously proven otherwise, presumed innocence is preferable to presumed guilt.
And that leads to the importance of personal responsibility. We must take care to say what we mean and mean what we say. To do otherwise is to invite confusion and promote disunity.
It’s only by knowing why we know what we know that we can better understand ourselves and it’s by better understanding ourselves that we can better understand others.
Mental health is important and it starts in our own head and heart and can be obvious to ourselves and others in the words we use and how we use them.
Gary Bentley Counselling 