The Persecution of Joy
People persecute joy out of life. How many people are busy and sad? How many are miserable while seeking the good life? Part of the problem is daily conversations that oppress joy.
When life is miserable, words have something to do with it.
Two conversations:
Be concerned about inward-facing and outward-facing conversations.
If you kick a dog long enough it gives up. Does your inner dialogue return joy or harm? Are you encouraging yourself or punching yourself in the gut?
The person who loves life says life-giving things. Do your conversations with team members invite them to like spending time with you?
Stop harming people with your words.
Joy and boomerangs:
Conversations have consequences.
Words return like boomerangs. Invite vibrancy into life, not death. Solomon put it this way, “The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.”
You can’t thrive and kill vitality at the same time. There’s no vigor when you speak misery into yourself and others.
Coneheads:
Coneheads is a movie masterpiece. Two aliens (Beldar and Prymaat played by Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin) are stranded on Earth. They integrate and have a child (Connie).
At one point Beldar is arguing with his Connie. Finally, he says, “Maintain low tones.”
Eliminate harshness if you want more joy.
One rule:
There is only one rule for leadership conversations. “Only open your mouth to make something better.” For example, shift from defeat to opportunity by asking, “What are you learning?”
Today’s challenge: Notice how people feel after listening to you talk. Notice how you feel after talking to yourself.
What are some life-giving words leaders can speak today?
Life-giving words I can speak today.
–help people fully understand the important contributions they are making.
–inspire my grandson to learn from mistakes and get ready for the next game.
–recognize and praise “winning actions” from the past week.
Thanks, Paul. You’re doing well when you indicate that others are important. The other thing your comment brings to mind is only point out what’s wrong when you’re seeking to make something right, or better.
Great post Dan! We often so underestimate how we talk to ourselves and the impact that has in how we talk to others. Love how you laid this out.
Thanks, Mark. Casual words can fall on people like hammers. I appreciate the good word.