Keep It Closed
Someone was telling me about a device used for sleep issues. It's designed to help prevent mouth breathing at night by keeping the mouth closed. As they were telling me about this device and the improved sleep they’d been getting since they started using it, I thought about the fact that keeping our mouths closed is not only important for getting better-quality sleep, but for building better-quality relationships as well.
The environment of our homes, businesses, and our relationships are all impacted by what comes out of our mouths - and sometimes, more importantly, by what doesn’t come out. What we say, how we respond, or how we react to others sets the tone for an encouraging, pleasant environment or a negative, toxic interaction. I firmly believe that controlling the words we speak (and the words we choose not to speak) can lead to healthier, stronger, and more fulfilling relationships.
If you want to practice a “closed mouth” mentality, it’s important to start by recognizing when our words may be causing harm. Once we’re aware of this, we can make a conscious effort to pause and carefully consider what we’re about to say before speaking — or, more simply put, to keep our mouths closed. Instead of opening our mouths and reacting impulsively, we can choose to respond with kindness, transforming our interactions into more positive experiences.
This isn’t easy. It’s natural to react and speak without thinking about the impact our words might have. It takes discipline and a genuine desire to speak with kindness. But if we work at it, we can truly improve the environment of our relationships.
I’m going to focus on mentally practicing this 'closed mouth' approach more often. Join me! It can make a real difference.
Larry
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