Hey you, listen. Recently in a different wording of words, I was told by a peer that maybe I should step back and listen before I speak. I’ve been told this time and time before, yet I haven’t listened. I have a tendency to open my mouth and let whatever I’m thinking spill out.

But after having this conversation I decided to hold my tongue. What are the results you may ask? Well, for once I felt this kind of peace and calm about the situation. Sure, let me tell you, it wasn’t easy and it sure wasn’t fun. But sometimes before we can know it, we’re word-vomiting things out into the world that the world doesn’t even need to hear.

Instead of holding your nose up high and tearing someone else down for something they are trying to accomplish, overcome, or challenge themselves, lets stop and help to get them to where they want to be. A great example is when we stop and think about the situation. What if you were invisible to this situation? What if you were the subject that someone was tearing down and talking bad about? How would you feel? What would you want to do differently?

That is how we should view our tongues. That is how we should aspire to be. Sure, we all have to gossip or rant to our parents, friends, girlfriends, or boyfriends but lets remember that at any moment something could change. Don’t allow yourself to get played or hurt by you forgetting what your parents taught you. Remember everything we say, think, and post on social media is a reflection of ourselves.

What happens when you don’t get a job five years down the road because of something you said when you were 15? What happens when you get crowed as Miss Teen USA, for example, and they find racial tweets from your younger days and you almost get the crown removed and receive death threats? I would never wish the later on anyone, but for Karlie Hay, her dreams of achieving Miss Teen USA came true, but when she should have been celebrating and enjoying those first glorious moments as Miss Teen USA. Instead she had to defend herself and explain herself.

Let’s “Own October” and become the best extension of ourselves that we can be.