Everyone has gossiped and everyone has been gossiped about. Everyone knows it is wrong and everyone knows that is hurts. Take a moment to think about the true meaning of the word gossip and the hurt it really can cause. In the moment, people become self centered and think that it is beneficial to gossip, but in the long run it hurts all parties involved. Even if the story is true, it's still gossip. Think twice before you speak.
G - GRIEF
Gossip causes a lot of grief and tears to those involved because usually it is not meant for any good. The whole purpose of gossip is to tear someone else down. Gossip is harmful and even though you may think it will not affect anyone, it does. The aftermath of gossip can have bigger affects on people than you ever see. The reason so many people are depressed in today's day and time is because of gossip. Gossip is the root of grief in many situations. We all need to be careful what we say because our words can have bigger outcomes than we ever realize.
O - OTHERS HURT
Similarly to grief, gossip hurts other people. The things we say can never be taken back. Many people are guilty of saying things out of anger, but people still get hurt. Many people’s harmful actions to themselves are a result of being hurt by others and feeling like they have no-one there for them. Do not let your gossiping be the reason for their self injury. The things we say leave a mark on people’s lives forever, so be careful to not hurt anyone. Keep a guard on at all times because anything we say can be hurtful to someone if it is not said in love.
S - SNOOP
Gossip is discovered by snooping in other people’s business. If our society as a whole would mind their own business and keep to themselves this would not be a problem. In order to find out gossip people typically have to snoop in other’s life matters to discover something worth repeating. Every individual has secrets and has messed up, but its not other people’s job to make that known. Many people feed off gossip and that is a problem because we are tearing down individuals daily. People need to stop snooping and realize there are more important aspects of life.
S - STORY
The root of gossip is typically an insecure individual needing a story to tell. Gossip begins when people think they have a good story that other people are going to enjoy. The truth is, they might have a good story, but that does not mean it needs to be repeated. As stated earlier, gossip may be true, but that does not mean it has to be spread. Individuals need to realize that people will like you for you and not for what you know about other people. Do not gossip just so you have a story to tell.
I - ISOLATION
Many people gossip because they think it will make them friends- this is not true. Gossiping will give people a reason to listen to you for a few minutes, but serves no other purpose after your story is over. People gossip because they truly believe it will cause them to avoid isolation, but in reality it causes isolation. People who gossip are never trusted, and they are only used by people who want to hear the gossip. People who gossip end up isolated rather than avoiding it. Gossiping has no positive outcomes in the big scheme of things.
P - PROMISES BROKEN
Trust is lost because promises are broken when people fall into the gossip trap. Many people think “Saying this one thing wont hurt.” Saying that one think might have caused you to break a promise, which in turn causes you to hurt someone, lose a friend, and become isolated. Gossiping is the root of many problems and it starts the minute an individual believes another individual can be trusted. Many promises are broken when it comes to gossip and many friendships are lost. Gossip hurts and the consequences are harsh and long lived. Think twice before you break a promise and hurt those around you.
There is no benefit to gossiping, so think twice before you speak because if you don’t, many people will be hurt; possibly even yourself.
