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Gossip Makes Who Look Bad?

When you think of gossip, what picture comes to your mind? Is it a “pretty” picture or a “not-so-pretty” picture? Our bet is that it’s not-so-pretty and why? Many people who engage it call it “sharing information,” or “trying to help someone out” by discussing their personal business with others. But is that really what it is? So, why do we do it, and let’s face it, we all do it!

The main difference between sharing information in a conversation and gossip has to do with motive. Why are you telling someone what so-and-so said or did? Usually it’s done to make you look superior or like you’re the “bigger” person than the person you’re talking about.

People who tend to focus on the negative aspects of others are usually talking about things that they find too difficult to look at in themselves. It’s a lot easier to look at Susan or Joe and talk about their “faults” or their shortcomings or what they did to whom. It’s far less painful to place the lives of others under a microscope than it is to take an honesty inventory of our own faults.

And… how does all this gossip affect your health? Do you really believe that talking badly about others is good for you? Do you believe that it makes you an upbeat, positive person? Or do you think maybe all this negative talk can lead to stress and isolation, which ultimately leads to ill health and mental, emotional and physical toxicity. While it may initially feel as though you are “part of the group” when you gossip, ultimately it backfires and soon you are the one people are talking about!

Every religion, it seems, takes a hard line on gossip, claiming that it affects your spirituality. One of the commandments handed down to Moses by God, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” has within it the notion that gossip is wrong, especially if you consider the dictionary definition of gossip, which is “idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others.”

What can you do to break the gossip habit? Don’t participate in it. Don’t listen to it. Don’t spread it. Find new friends who are interested in more positive pursuits and discussions. Listen to that inner voice of yours that tells you right from wrong, that feeling you get in your gut. Think of how you would feel if people were talking about you in the same way.

Life is all about making healthy choices – good nutrition, exercise, the right amount of sleep, chiropractic care and feeling good about yourself and who you are. Gossip adds absolutely nothing to this mix.