Dr. Simmi Gurwara
How often does it happen that we desperately want to eat the words that we have spoken publicly in the first place? Quite often is my guesstimate. In the heat of the moment we overstep the fine line that leads to remorse or repair or both at a later stage. Although it is a different story whether this rethink is self inspired or imposed upon us by some third party intervention. Diplomacy could be a resort but it doesn’t come easy. We need to study the art and science behind the discipline. In spite of all precautionary tactics that we adopt to avoid landing in soup, we unfailingly find ourselves struggling to wriggle out of a difficult situation which is created by sheer outspokenness, or call it plain verbosity. Without weighing our words when we let them go with or against the flow, there is every chance of it going wrong.
What could then be a remedy to this quintessential problem? Well, firstly and fore mostly it is about that uncommonly used common sense that gives us the cues and signal the convenient go-ahead. Since it is a rare commodity hardly used by the motor-mouths, it is quite natural to look for help in the external world. There are aides who are willing to aid in overcoming this profusion of words. They help us draw the line between dos and don’ts. Critics are of immense help as they provide us with ample opportunities to introspect and make amendments. They are the truest friends who unknowingly extend their services that help us cruise through the mess and the ickiness of it all. Social networking sites do the needful in this regard. Facebook likes and dislikes let us know how our verbiage has been received. Surmounting the digital attack ultimately calls for digital detox.
Excesses in speech bring about a forced change in our mannerisms, thanks to the self professed critics who take up their job of screening every single word that is let out by the powers that be, rather seriously. This hype and hoopla results in a few heartburns and heartaches but interestingly the sufferers take heart to embark on the next plane of wordiness. Criticisms come and die down and so do the critics. What never dies is the drive to indulge in the luxury of word pool.
Thinking minds have the propensity to think twice before they speak nothing. But how can impulses be ignored. How can our spontaneity be reduced to nothing. Too much of thought application can possibly kill the spirit of the moment and later we might rue the fact that we didn’t speak up. Who said life is easy. If you speak you are doomed, if you recoil, you feel you missed your chance.
Commoners are usually saved from this embarrassment which is a prerogative of the bigwigs but every now and then due to the overly zealous social media even an average Joe gets caught in the cross fires of accusations. Interpreters and analyzers take charge. Anything that deviates from their core philosophy catches their ire. All heavens break loose. What is said can’t be unsaid. The first and the last resort is to eat your words. This emotional eating is bereft of all nutrients. But who cares for nutrition when sparks are blowing and cynics are going all out to get your scalp.
The less said the better is a wise saying but the point is that when you have the urge to say it, you just say it without thinking about the repercussions that might follow. This current of emotionally charged wordplay releases the suppressions that gladly find way at the first instance. What follows is contingent upon a number of political, personal, social and economical concerns that catch the fancy of our detractors. Irrespective of all impending attacks and counter attacks for speaking your mind, it is worth it. Or is it?
