I follow many paths to find wisdom that will help me become a better person. Thich Nhat Hanh from the Buddhist tradition was a person I greatly admired.
He once wrote, “The intention of deep listening and loving speech is to restore communication, because once communication is restored, everything is possible, including peace and reconciliation.”
So much of our society these days seems to experience talking at each other or talking past each other. People have felt “free” to say whatever comes to mind. In addition to what the Apostle James says about speech, I applaud Hanh’s comment about intentional loving speech.
Consider how civil discourse would be if we weren’t trying to get “likes” and followers on social media and news media didn’t amplify the most extravagant and hateful speech.
Deep listening and loving speech. What a wonderful idea.
Faith Venture 
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