Sweltering Summer

Many places around the globe are in “over-heating” mode as I type this. Happily, there is a Lot of information available about ways to keep your body cool, from drinking and/or submerging in cool water to visiting a cooling center.

Another aspect of being over-heated that is not often addressed is this: When we are way too warm and uncomfortable, it’s also way too easy to be grumpy toward others.

In fact, when we are extremely uncomfortable, it even can seem reasonable to “vent” our discomfort by saying something hurtful or rude – that we really don’t mean.

Why does this matter?

Here’s what happens: We can later apologize, but they will always remember. They’ll wonder if that’s what you truly think about them. And your wonderful relationship has a fracture in it. And as we know, once there is a crack, it doesn’t take nearly as much pressure before something breaks.

So what can we do instead?

Do a quick self-check. Do you Really mean this or are you just miserable and want to “share” your misery? Do you want to live with the consequences if you verbally smack them? And if you feel you Do need to say something about an issue, how can you say it in a way that’s loving and caring instead? Or could the discussion wait until the heat breaks and everyone feels better?

The Very Good News: You are the one and only person who gets to control what comes out of your mouth. And as a wise person once said, “Keep your words sweet in case you have to eat them.” I wish you cool breezes and your favorite cooling beverage as we keep our cool in our relationships. We’ll get through this together!

One comment

  1. Andrea Williams says:

    I am crabby when I am too cold, which I am ten months of the year. Summer has finally arrived and I am a happy girl. I will try to remember these words of wisdom in late August when the temperature consistently dips to below 60.

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