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How to Keep a Tight Rein on Your Tongue

The tongue is a small part of the body but it can ignite great fires

Kimberly Fosu
ZORA
Published in
5 min readAug 22, 2023

(Photo: Cdd20)

I. The Quest for Slowing Down

As a kid, I was the quiet type, hardly saying a word. But somewhere along the line, I decided to speak up, and now I find myself yearning for those days when I was slow to speak. I realize my mouth often operates on overdrive, leaving my brain in the dust. It’s like answering a question before I’ve even had a chance to think, and then boom! Instant regret.

Ever been there?

Rushing to speak often leads to saying things we wish we hadn’t or failing to get our point across. It’s a bummer when we realize we could’ve dropped some wisdom bombs if only we had taken a moment to listen to ourselves.

When we rush to answer or give our opinions, we silence that wise spirit within us itching to guide our words. We miss out on the chance to speak from a place of authenticity and empowerment.

Rushing to speak often leads to saying things we wish we hadn’t or failing to get our point across.

II. The Beauty of Being Slow to Speak

It’s tough not to jump in and respond when someone challenges us or spouts off nonsense, but there’s something truly beautiful and powerful about being slow to speak.

The people who say less can be some of the most attractive folks around. And it’s not about trying to say less to be attractive, but there’s something alluring about being deliberate with our words.

When we take our time, the words that flow from our minds are wise, empowering, and they strengthen our relationships.

Being slow to speak gives others the space to express themselves fully. Everyone deserves to be heard, even if we don’t agree.

And guess what?

When we embrace the silence, we tap into some insightful messages from within, leading to more thoughtful and meaningful interactions.

To be slow to speak and quick to listen, we need to embrace that little thing called humility. It’s about acknowledging…

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ZORA
ZORA

Published in ZORA

A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color.

Kimberly Fosu
Kimberly Fosu

Written by Kimberly Fosu

Spirituality | Faith | Inspiration

Responses (7)

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And it’s not about trying to say less to be attractive, but there’s something alluring about being deliberate with our words.

Yes, this is so true. The quiet person is alluring. When they DO speak, we listen. This was a great reminder. There is life and death in the tongue. Speak wisely. Great article. Thank you

When we take our time, the words that flow from our minds are wise, empowering, and they strengthen our relationships.

That's what we all want, isn't it? Thanks for sharing these pointers on how to use speech well so we create happiness and harmony, instead of distress for ourselves and others.

So true Kimberly ☺️