This famous phrase was part of the American propaganda during WW2. It was meant to stymie the public from spreading idle chatter and gossip about the war efforts.
Another famous saying is the children's nursery rhyme " Sticks and stones may break my bones, however, names/words will never hurt me".
Well I have to tell you that names/words definitely hurt and hurt. I have been on the receiving end on some very harsh words and unfortunately I have also been on the giving end of some very hurtful words.
Recently, it almost cost me a valued friend. In the course of conversation, she was asking me my opinion and I opened my mouth and out came words that were very damaging, hurtful and wished I could take them back as soon as they left my mouth. I felt ashamed and disgusted in myself. I was depressed, I reached out and she wasn't ready yet. I started to accept that because of ill timed words I lost a valued friend who I love and care for deeply.
It took about a month before we talked again and that was only after my sweetie intervened and brokered the peace. It took me several weeks to even tell my sweetie. In those weeks I kept on seeing signs on social media about how damaging words can be. It was a slap in the face which I needed. There are examples on a daily basis where people say things they shouldn't. Some people don't care how many people they hurt or offend by what they say (Donald Trump, Doug Ford, Rudy Guilliani, Evander Kane).
However, most people are deeply remorseful when they say words that hurt people and hopefully have learned the lesson that "Loose lips do indeed sink ships" and words and names DO hurt. It is a hard lesson to learn and a valuable lesson to learn.
I am so grateful to have my friend back and now that this crisis is over. I am starting to reflect on why I had those words inside me. It is not an easy reflection. It is making me realize that I have things inside me that could hurt people. It tells me that I have work to do. Another reminder of how difficult depression is. One thing I have learned for sure is that nastiness never has a role in conversations between friends.
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