Affirmation for July 8, 2010: Gossip
If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue.- Alice Duer MillerThought of the day:Gossip, if anything, is one guilty pleasure we all may have indulged in from time to time. It's interesting, it's juicy, it makes for good conversation and exciting TV. But gossip can be hurtful as well, and untrue rumors can spread like wildfire and hurt a lot of people.Remember, there is always more than one side to a story. It takes great self-control for some to keep a good perspective, so if you find yourself sourcing a rumor-mill, try to step back and put yourself in the other person's shoes. Ask yourself how they would feel if they know the person you're telling knew this information. Is it worth telling to begin with? Are you telling for the right reasons?Have a balanced day!TeamDS
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Replies
I think gossip is terrible and should always be avoided!
In ancient Greece (469-399BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, \"Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?\"
\"Wait a moment,\" Socrates replied. \"Before you tell me I\'d like you to pass a little test. It\'s called the Triple Filter Test.\"
\"Triple Filter?\" asked the acquaintance.
\"That\'s right,\" Socrates continued. \"Before you talk to me about my student let\'s take a moment to filter what you\'re going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me Is true?\"
\"No,\" the man said, \"actually I just heard about it.\"
\"All right,\" said Socrates \"So you don\'t really know if it\'s true or not. Now let\'s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?\"
\"No, on the contrary ..\".
\"So,\" Socrates continued, \"you want to tell me something bad about him, Even though you\'re not certain it\'s true?\".
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued.\" You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?\"
\"No, not really ...\"
\"Well,\" concluded Socrates, \"If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?\"
The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
I like the abbreviated version....
Is it True
Is it Kind
Is it Necessary