JORGE RODRIGUES SIMÃO

Taking care of ourselves doesn’t give us the right to be mean.

Just because we’re telling the truth, we don’t need to tear people apart.

Sometimes when we start to own our power after years-maybe a lifetime of being timid and weak, we become overly aggressive trying to get our point across.

We can be honest with other people without being mean.

We can be diplomatic in whatever we need to say, at least most of the time. And we usually don’t have to scream and shout.

I’ve learned a trick along the way.

The weaker and more vulnerable we feel, the more we holler and the meaner we react.

The more truly powerful, clear, and centred we are, the quieter, gentler, and more loving we speak.

The next time you feel threatened or start to scream and yell, stop yourself.

Take a deep breath.

Deliberately speak more softly than you normally would.

You can speak softly and still carry a great big stick.