“_______” Removed A Message.
A dread for some, a way to withdraw venom, a simple typo, a missed opportunity, or an act of creating a mystery?
A removed message rarely gets scrolled by without a bit of questioning.
“Hey what did you say?”
“What message did you remove?”
This can happen in important times and sometimes trivial ones.
Removing a message is a new feature that has been added to all major communication apps, and just like years ago when they added the “seen” feature, I’m really not sure its a good idea.
The deception of indecision
We get it, we are a generation that wants things fast, we want quick results, quick messages, quick loading times, Nesquik. We want to make quick decisions and if we make them too quick to quickly take them back and we want truth fast, but who can put a speedometer on the truth?
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast”
We are communicating faster and faster-using phones and truths are getting shared more and more rapidly, whether your a 40 yr old man talking to his daughter for the first time since your divorce via Facebook messenger or trying to persuade your crush why you’re the best thing since sliced sashimi, a lot of personal things will be said some you might not and some you might regret.
“If I could turn back time if I could find a way”
Well now you can, with a simple click a message can be withdrawn. Is it type first think later or think first type later?
Think of the children! well actually, in this case, think of your parents! The whole system of messengers came from emails and that came from letters.
You cant change a letter you have already sent so it better be sentimental
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Before, all bases had to be covered before sending a letter, and the execution preciously thought out just like when I edit this article.
“Say what you mean and mean what you say”
Are we little kids that say something that we regret and only after the other kid is in tears and we are scolded for it do we say “ I didn’t mean it”
Are we so afraid that we would rather take back how we truly feel, and continue to burn in inaction till the ship has finally sailed?
Bad habit building
Sure if you are quick enough and say something you regret you can reverse it, but there is a chance, be it a small one that you will be caught. Then you will be held accountable for your actions. This can be all fine and dandy in the cyber world but unfortunately in the real world that S@%t don’t fly sunshine.
Can you take back a word you have said in court?
Can you take back an oath you have sworn?
Can you take back the vowels you have pledged?
Can you take back a spoken promise?
The answer is no to most of them but for some, it is yes.
Communication Confrontation
The difference is in the real world if you want to break a promise or an oath you have to face up, in a couple of days or even a couple of years the fact is you will have to speak your truth in this life or the next.
“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
Better out than in!
What do all the greatest songs, books, quotes in history all have in common?
WORDS.
Spoken words, containing a message, recorded for you and me.
If it feels right then write
Can you imagine if Shakespeare decided after reviewing his works for some time thought, hmmm maybe I better keep this to myself?
‘ To be, or not to be: that is the question’ Shakespear
Shakespear has removed this message
Or 2pac decided he saw no “changes” in things whether he released songs or not so he just decided to leave it on the pad and never pick up the microphone.
“We gotta start makin’ changes
Learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers
And that’s how it’s supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he’s close to me?” 2pac
2pac has removed this message
Jesus Christ decided not to change the course of history and rattle the whole world spiritually, instead he really got into carpentry, and retired with wealth and children.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus Christ has removed this message
Or Martin Luther King did become silent about things that matter and decided that the world would change on its own and he wasn’t the change the world needed him to be.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
The time is always right to do what is right.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
Martin Luther King has removed this message
Just because its there doesn’t mean we should use it
“It’s easy to buy a drink it’s hard to break a habit” Did I just make up my own quote
In summary, I believe if something is important and you have thought it out enough then it should be released with no regret and with confidence. Whether its a message to a struggling friend or the first words in your speech, just don’t use this “Remove a message” option as a crutch otherwise you’ll forget how to walk (talk), as my granddad always used to say
“Use it or lose it!”
Reflections
Is there something you have been meaning to say but haven’t got around to it? Or something that will continue to trouble your heart until it is spoken?
The time is now
My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Written By Luke Gaymer (Luke Residuos)
ALL GLORY BE TO GOD.
