Small-time Philosophy

--To that viewer that rarely visits my blog, I’ve be working on a huge research project that has consumed me completely. I will be posting more in the near future. In the meantime, I have abstracted some words from a Philosophy paper I wrote a while back.--


“… It only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those we know, and it can take many years to heal them (Unknown, 2007).”

One word spoken, one action taken, one misunderstanding can cause everything from unity to borderline anarchy. With our words and our actions, we can almost control our listeners and predict how they respond. Words can lead to death as well as life. However, without the “how” element, words are nothing more than a combination of letters that make particular sounds when combined appropriately. The “how” element creates the mood that deliver the words and/or the actions. In other words, it’s not what you say or do, but how you say or do it. We each have different relationships with the people in our lives. We are mostly professional with our bosses, teachers, and business associates. With our friends and relatives we are humorous, caring, and more intimate. However, misunderstandings do take place and they can have devastating and everlasting effects on all of us. Imagine you are with your significant other and as you look into their eyes you say, “I really do love you.” You know better than I do about the response you would probably receive. Now let’s put emphasis on certain (BOLD) words. What if you had said, “I really do love YOU”? Or how about, “I really DO love you”? All it takes is one word, one action or one misunderstanding that could generate a paradox within your relationship with one another.

I learned that if my words are accompanied with the right delivery and emphasis, then I could say what I need to say. If I need to say to someone that they are not the best at what they do, then I should be able to do so without undesired consequences. Take a moment to examine this sentence. –You are NOT the best at what you do, but you MAY be able to excel. – By putting the emphasis on the bold and CAPITALIZED words, this sentence is not too encouraging. What if this was something your boss had said to you in this manner? What if your spouse had said this? Think about how you would feel. How would you respond? Now let’s take this same sentence and place the emphasis on some other words. –You are not the BEST at what you do, but YOU may be able to excel. – By placing the emphasis on other words, the delivery is completely different. Now the sentence sounds more encouraging and you would more than likely receive the information in a more positive manner.

While saying what needs to be said, putting emphasis on key words can determine how it is received. Emphases on words are so powerful, that it allows you to take one sentence and give that sentence multiple meanings. Examine the next sentence. –I need to make more money. - Now let’s add emphasis on each individual word of this sentence and notice how the delivery is change due to the emphasized word:* I need to make more money. * I NEED to make more money. * I need to MAKE more money.* I need to make MORE money.* I need to make more MONEY. By emphasizing certain words, we have managed to take one short sentence and give it multiple meanings. What must be understood is that if the emphasis is on the wrong word, misunderstanding is inevitable. Therefore, before speaking, we should think about our delivery, because the same phrase that encourages you can also discourage you.
The desired outcome should always be in mind whenever you take any form of action. Examining your own character flaws will yield exceptional results if you are honest with yourself. Know that you are not perfect and you may be misunderstood at times. Overall, it is not what you say; it’s how you say it. It not what you do; it’s why you do it. Know that you can really encourage the outcome, just by putting the emphasis on one word. As you move on, take these words of wisdom with you:

How do you channel your personal strength? In putting forth the daily efforts that life requires, energy plus optimism equal progress, while energy plus anger only results in frustration. Do the math and you too will add the difference between what’s work, and what’s wack. GOD is Love- (Simmons, 2006).