Speaking kind

How often do you look at a text as it pings in and wrinkle your forehead in disbelief? Our reactions to others’ choice of words can be strong and as those words encroach upon our private life, it all seems quite public without us realising. How did we get to this place where quotes online encourage us to ‘think before you text’ or ‘open your mind before your mouth’?

Voltaire is quoted as saying ‘everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said’. A reminder that we have a choice about how we say things and what we say. Bringing in the human element to your communications, remembering the person you are speaking with is essential; can you imagine the person who is going to be reading what you write, for example?

To help you could ask yourself these 5 questions, one for each of the letters of THINK: is it true?; is it helpful?; is it inspiring?; is it necessary?; is it kind?

So much of our communication now is instant and includes social media groups and apps, mobile phones, emails, text messages. Looking after each other and living by our Girlguiding values is now more than ever, important. Have you come across the term ‘digital etiquette’? It’s all about conduct in a digital world, making sure you don’t type in anger, pausing before you press ‘send’, and thinking about how it will land with the other person. Manners of respect for the modern era.

What about this book from Lauren Hug with her emphasis on kindness:

https://laurenhug.com/product/digital-kindness-being-human-in-a-hyper-connected-world/

With Self Care Week coming up in November being kind to yourself automatically extends to kindness towards others. One of the ways to do this could be to know when to turn off the phone or laptop and give yourself space, to reflect. That reflection might include how your tone of voice has an impact and how you might bring it more in line with the Girlguiding values of being caring, inclusive, and inspiring.

From what we hear from the girls we look after in Girlguiding mean comments and harassment are one of the real negatives of the online and digital world they are growing up in. Let’s also be the fun, empowering, and challenging part of their lives as we model ways to communicate in a connecting, healthy way. Here’s the link to our 2022 Girls’ Attitude Survey:

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls-making-change/girls-attitudes-survey/

Lots to keep us engaged until next month. See you then for our end-of-year connections blog!