Think Before You Speak

In 1933 an educational director wrote, “You will improve your enunciation if you learn how to control your breathing and the use of your jaw, tongue and lips.”

After contemplating that comment I thought what if it were mandatory for everyone to carry a wallet size manual with instructions on how to control the articulators while breathing, titled How to Think before You Speak.

Imagine, someone tries to engage you in a difficult conversation and without saying a word you take out your manual and do the following:

Step One: stand erect with your heels together, your head up, chin in, chest up and abdomen in.

Step Two: inhale slowly until you feel that your lungs cannot hold another bit of air; then exhale slowly.

Step Three: repeat step two 3 times

Step Four: now let your mouth fall open as if you had no control over your lower jaw. Let your head fall forward until your lower jaw rests on your chest, if possible.

Step Five: roll your head slowly around to your right, back, left, front and up. Repeat three times.

Step Six: lie on the floor and relax every muscle in your body. If you find this difficult, ask for a little more space. Then relax each muscle consciously – starting with your big toe on your right foot. Continue until you are wholly relaxed.

Step Seven: when you feel too lazy to lift your left ring finger, breathe deeply three or four times and then rise quickly to your feet and ask the person to repeat their question.

Okay, the above scenario is a bit comical; however, it would certainly give you plenty of time to think before you speak.


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