Make the Last Word Spoken
a Positive One!

By Dr. Gary S. Goodman

Our encounters with other people never end.

They echo on and on.

How many times have you left a person’s presence, repeating in your mind something irksome or negative that they said as your meeting or conversation officially concluded?

You might hear a comment reverberating, and wonder, ”What did he mean by that?”

At the same time, you’re kicking yourself for not challenging the odd remark when it was first uttered, in your presence. Had you done that, you wouldn’t be wasting your time now, dredging it up.

Yesterday, I went to see a new doctor about a minor ear infection. Her assistant weighed me and took my temperature, and later the doctor remarked that my blood pressure was high.

“Do you exercise?” she challenged.

“Sure, weight training, lots of martial arts,” I replied, surprised at the implication.

“You should be ashamed of yourself, then.”

“What’s my blood pressure?” I asked.

“It’s 157, and we recommend you watch it if it’s over 140.”

“Wait a minute,” I shot back. “That’s not right; that’s not me. Let’s take it again!” I insisted.

The physician left, the assistant returned, and took another reading.

“What is it?” I had to ask.

“140,” she replied sheepishly, and with no little surprise.

Of course I was relieved.

You see, I had to have the last word. I wasn’t going to stay mute after hearing a misplaced lecture about fitness.

Whenever someone leaves a conversation with you on a negative note, try to correct it.

Say or do something constructive, and then, when you think about the encounter later on, you’ll probably have something to smile about!

Article Source | About the Author