Your Mother Was Right: Think, Then Speak.

Sometimes, despite our very best of intentions, we spread ourselves so thin that our effectiveness at everything we do begins to fail.  We can also become so emotionally involved about a particular event, or thing, that our fanatical passion can cause us to say, and do things we would  otherwise never have said, or done.  Despite years of saying things well, and having done things right, all it takes is a poorly worded moment to cause those around us to become upset, and confused by our words.

Quick words from the lips fired by emotion, and not tempered by thought.  This scenario has changed lives throughout history as we have seen recently.  We should all adopt a 5 second delay when we speak.  There are so many times I have spoken, and then gasped hard as if to suck my words back into my throat.

It doesn't work.

The same goes for writing an email during an emotional moment.  One word of advice from one that knows all too well: don't.  If you must write in order to release the demons, then do so without an address in the "To:" box, and when you are done, save it as a draft.  Do not send it.

After twenty-four hours or so, look at the draft.  Reread it.  If you still feel the same way you did when you first wrote it delete it, and the same goes if you feel better than you did the day before.  After you delete it, pick up your phone, and call the person to speak to them live.  You may just come up with a solution when there is an active, live exchange.

I guess the bottom line is to think out what you intend to say, or write,  in advance, pause before you speak, or save your thoughts as a draft, and respond appropriately to those that are present.  If there are those that disagree with you, and tell you to go soak your head, and it happens to be on a day like this when it is 100℉ plus,  then thank them for caring, and move on.

You tried, and that's all you can do.