The word but has come up a few times in the last month.
At a Networking Event, where as an icebreaker, we had a short conversion using “yes but” and then replacing it with “yes and.”
It was surprising how much the whole tone of the conversation changed just by switching those words.
Recently a nun, who comes to one of my classes, said that as part of their Lent fasting, they are abstaining from using the word but.
While I don’t observe fasting for Lent, I love the idea of removing but from my conversations, external, internal and self-talk too.
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” - Rudyard Kipling
It’s hard and its challenging to think about, and be aware of, how often I use that word. It's also very good mindfulness practice for getting off auto response and thinking, before I speak.
Have some fun and try this with a friend, your partner or your whole family, keep a tally and the first person to 5 massages your shoulders or your feet for 10 minutes, cooks dinner or something similar, you get what I mean.
I’m taking it one day at a time and should will be next.
Give it a go and let me know how you go.
Image courtesy Christian Battaglia - Unsplash
