Sacrifice Words

By

Emilio Chaviano

March 9, 2011

 

Here is a very personal question. What are you giving up for Lent?  Lent is a season of forty days in preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and penance by  Christians. For some the sacrifice simply means giving up chocolate.

I think we can do better than that! Let me suggest that for the next forty days we try a discipline that can transform the world. Let us commit to talking less and when we do, let us do so in a sacrificial way.

For Lent, give up talking negatively about people who are not present to tell their story. For Lent, give up words of criticism without offering positive encouragement. For Lent, let us give up words spoken in anger.

It is better to walk away in silence before we deliver hurtful messages. For Lent, let us give up self-promoting words intended to impress others. Let’s employ those words to praise someone else instead.

Check your thoughts before you speak and erase the word “impossible” from your vocabulary.  Give up for lent any words that are less than the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Slow down for Lent and engage your heart and mind before you speak in haste.

Once words are pronounced and heard by another they can’t be recalled. Finally, during Lent give up words that put blame on other people and make you the victim. Those words would be better used in self-examination and attitude adjustment.

Giving up chocolate for Lent is a big one, but if I fail there are no significant consequences. On the other hand, how I sacrifice my words can change me for good, and how we do collectively can make a huge positive difference in our world.  Since we’ll be saving so many words during the next forty days, let us be generous in saying “I am sorry.”