Words..

 When allegations are made against someone, it is usually in such a person’s interest to take action to clear his/her name. The problem with false accusations is that even though untrue most people tend to believe it unless it is shown that such accusation is false. When those false allegations stick, the victim’s character becomes damaged. If a similar accusation is thrown at the person in the future, people will easily believe it believing such person is prone to such behaviour. (You can find the video version of this here- https://youtu.be/mqJKE-s8tpk?si=ek8gCJ4tekTynwZS )

The effects of words are so strong that they can either make or mar the recipient depending on what was said. Let’s be careful of our words, I mean, it is better to say something elevating that can uplift people than to use negative words or spread false rumours against someone. Quite apart from the legal angle which means you can be sued, false rumours are generally damaging and you wouldn’t gain anything destroying the reputation someone has built over the years. Sometimes people tend to recover more quickly from losses, and sicknesses than damage to character. Your watchword should be if I didn’t see or hear it personally, I wouldn’t say it. You can believe the rumour, but you shouldn’t be the one to spread it. Why, because you have no evidence of what you heard. It is quite a different thing altogether if you know what you are saying, in which case it wouldn’t be a false allegation or rumour.

Another point to note while speaking freely or discussing the rumour is that people would say or repeat what they heard from you, it doesn’t matter that the original rumour didn’t start from you, so, where there are legal consequences you wouldn’t hide under it is what I heard from someone, it would be a matter of whether the rumour you spread is true or false.

This week, let’s try as much as possible to mind our business, engaging in idle gossip is not rewarding, it takes up the useful time that should have been devoted to a more rewarding venture. Keep this in mind when you are tempted to spread rumors!

Have a productive week!