Pokin' the Bear is a Terrific Idea ... Said No One Ever

 GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
There's a reason people warn against poking the bear --- a good one, too: The bear will maul, y'all.

Unfortunately, we humans tend to sometimes act in such a manner that not only offends or hurts the other humans but often also opposes our own best interests. Silly humans.

We've all been there, right? Taking that debate with your colleague --or heaven forbid, your boss-- just one sentence too long; jabbing back at your significant other with an illegal shot below the belt (usually one retrieved from an incident living far, far away in the past); insisting on the last word with a sibling or friend that leads to an undetermined period of NO WORDS between you; spitting something out in the heat of the moment at a parent or child that you immediately attempt to chew back down on from midair to swallow forever ... but you can't. #wordsmatter

The saddest part is, we typically know instantaneously when we've crossed the line. Sometimes we'll even tell ourselves or another right out loud: "Ooh, too far." Sigh. In today's world you can return, dispose of, recycle, or replace nearly any THING. Heck, most items produced these days are specifically made with a short shelf life. But remember this: you can take back a sweater, a jacket, a car battery or even an unopened bag of chips -- yet you can never take back something you've said.

Sure, you can back-peddle, apologize and even make amends, but you can never, ever take back what has passed your lips and been put out into the universe. Ever.

If and when possible; stop and think before speaking, particularly if you are angry or overwrought with any other emotion. Silence is sometimes the best response to a volatile comment --- and it's certainly the wiser option than either clawing someone or being mangled yourself.

Besides, if the bear can't hear you, he might just eat your picnic lunch and peacefully head back into the woods, ya dig?

Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23-R. (4a) Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Our fathers made a calf in Horeb and adored a molten image; They exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock. They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham, terrible things at the Red Sea. Then he spoke of exterminating them, but Moses, his chosen one, Withstood him in the breach
to turn back his destructive wrath. Verse Before the Gospel Jn 3:16-God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
PHOTO COURTESY: https://pixabay.com/en/bear-brown-bear-animal-teddy-bear-422682/

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