The Power of the Tongue

This is an essay in response to: "The best-loved person in town would perish with anguish could they hear all that their friends say in the course of a day" - John Hay.

Please feel free to critique :D
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The Power of the Tongue
- Written by Jessica Chao

The tongue is a very powerful organ, it can strike at a persons’ heart without exerting much effort and it can also mend broken hearts. The most trusted and loved person in town would have bleeding ears if they were to hear everything that their friends have to say within a day. From gossip to news, conversations are constant and words can be twisted to form an even more entertaining version of the news. It is a craft that has been passed down for many generations.

To be in a circle of friends involves trust and an honest relationship. Seeing the effects of my sister and her best friends’ relationship perish as a result of gossiping behind her back shows the power of the tongue. Not only were there gossip, the words told were transformed into lies which served as a source of safety and comfort for her best friends’ insecurity. But where does this insecurity come from? There is absolute trust in the relationship; it was a lack of self-trust that is hard to identify by any persons, especially an outsider.

The insecurities that people have, readily leads them into cursing other people in order to elevate themselves on a mental platform. However, the victim is affected by these direct or indirect words, because ultimately the words spoken are curses which are heard by people, God and all forms of angels. Even if the victim can’t hear the curses, eventually it would reveal itself slowly like capillary action that overspills; such as the spread of Kevin Rudd’s strip club experience across all media, where many people were so eager to judge him.

Once the victim hears of the gossip, even if he or she is the best-loved, well tempered person in town, thoughts about friendship and trust would deteriorate. Turning into anger, defense and possibly isolation of relationships as I have seen with my sisters’ ‘best friend’. This is a lesson that lasts a lifetime, yet many people find it hard to trust again because they felt immense hurt and betrayed.

The tongue is best when it’s controlled with mindful hearts. It is a source of healing the broken and curses that lasts a long time.

“The Lonely Toil.”

"Loneliness And The Feeling Of Being Unwanted Is The Most Terrible Poverty." - Mother Teresa.

Below is an essay that I wrote. Please provide a critique and other thoughts - I'm very interested to know what else Mother Teresa has said about this.
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“The Lonely Toil.”
Written by Jessica Chao 1/1/09

As people rush to meet deadlines, attend meetings and doing errands in this time-poor society; who is there to attend to those who are lonely? Loneliness and the feelings of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty, indeed. We live busy lives attending to needs, rather than living the life of fulfilling relationships. Both loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted stems from the lack of love which is essential for our lives.

In my early years as a graduate, I have lived a lonely life working for investment banks where every second and every cent are highly valued figures. As I spent fourteen hours working from day to night at an efficient pace, I learnt to value these figures and evolved into a true investment banker working more than five days a week. Time passes by and I began to feel lonely, empty, and finally an urge to fill the void within my heart. I searched for remedies to remove this void; from shopping to entertainment and living a life of luxuries. Yet none of these were sufficient. Without realizing what I’m truly missing, I’m trapped in this downward spiral, unable to unveil my eyes.

However, I caught a glimpse of light from my long lost friends who acted like angels in disguise. In my weakness, their strength helped nurture my spirit and their abundant joy became my solace. Through their joy, I hoped to remove my loneliness. Soon I felt their light penetrate deep into my soul as my eyes were unveiled, being able to truly see the worth of life, love and relationships.

Oh how wonderful is the strength of love – it is a strong bond that is capable of healing loneliness and flourishes the individuals’ heart. Love is patient, love is kind, it cares more for others than for self and love doesn’t fear; for we willingly nestle in the comfort of love to enjoy its embrace.

I am now so blessed to have friendships that truly touch my life. My friends are so generous in their love, compassion, joy and laughter. They colour my world with a rainbow everyday and turn it upside down into an endless smile for me, expelling all traces of loneliness.

When I realized the worth of life, love and relationships; my values, priorities and lifestyle changed accordingly. To be able to share my time and my love is now a high priority, for it is the richest gift I can give to people. No longer do I toil without love, for what value does it bring if I profit money but lose my love, joy and become lonely? Indeed, loneliness is torturous; it is a poverty of emotions where the individual is unable to share feelings with other people. But as one reaches out to the lonely, the lonely will feel whole again.