Home > Blogs > Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties > "The Real Debbie Reynolds" of Clarksville TN

Words are like Toothpaste

By Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Managing Real Estate Broker with Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 TN Broker: 208698

October 08, 2012 01:44 PM

Words are like Toothpaste because when they are released you can’t get them back in the tube.They can leave a fresh minty taste in your mouth if used correctly or if you don't pay attention you can make a mess that is hard to clean up.

Words are like Toothpaste. Think before you speak. Those kind words will be remembered for a long time. Those unkind words will leave a mark that you cannot see and cannot be reclaimed even with an apology. The tell-tale signs are still left behind.

Words are like Toothpaste. Sometimes it is best to keep the cap on tight, our mouths shut or our fingers still.

Re-Blog

Comments(28)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Paige Walker

Paige Walker - Pineville, LA

Real Estate Guru - Alexandria Pineville LA

Great analogy Debbie! Just keep the cap on until you are ready to start brushing and follow the Dentist instructions!!

Oct 08, 2012 12:36 PM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Debbie, I absolutely love your post and its analogy with toothpaste. Good job!

Oct 08, 2012 12:46 PM

Winston Heverly

Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA

GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I think it is OK to blow some steam if you do it in a diplomatic way. This notion one should be nice 24/7 is something humanly impossible.

Oct 08, 2012 01:58 PM

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Great analogy Debbie, I generally try for that fresh minty taste, sometimes the sticky mess happens though, either way it is tough to put them back into the tube once the send button has been pushed.

Oct 08, 2012 03:05 PM

Roger D. Mucci

Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH

Lets shake things up at your home today!

Words are like Toothpaste.....great analogy Debbie and so true. No way of getting it back in the tube......keep the cap on tight.

Oct 08, 2012 07:54 PM

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Debbie, very timely! Can only hope I remember when to keep the cap on tight and only remove it after careful thought! Enjoy your day!

Oct 08, 2012 08:21 PM

Amada Slade

Island Realty of the Lowcountry - Beaufort, SC

Hi Debbie, I love that. It is very true. But sometimes no matter what you drop the cap and oops!! Love your analogy.

Oct 08, 2012 09:02 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Great analogy Debbie. I have said things in the past that I shouldn't and it's wise to think before speaking.

Oct 08, 2012 09:26 PM

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

So very true. We should all think before speaking. So often, we do it in reverse and it comes back to bit us and even worse, these thoughless words can hurt another human being.

Oct 08, 2012 09:37 PM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

So true Debbie. Great analogy. Suggested!

Oct 08, 2012 10:21 PM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Great analogy Debbie. It is critical that we think before we speak-words have a lot more power than a punch!

Oct 08, 2012 11:05 PM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Debbie - long ago I heard the expression, "Restraint of tongue and pen" and it has saved me many times from saying something in haste. We can all say unkind things if we don't filter our words that can ruin a relationship and most of the time it's not worth it! Good advice!

Oct 09, 2012 12:46 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I used to be a high school instructor in drop-out prevention and we also had to teach basic skills......all around the school and every classroom were the words STOP AND THINK! We used to go over the importance of doing that before opening up your mouth............hope some of that stuck.

Oct 09, 2012 01:55 AM

Chris and Dick Dovorany

Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL

Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Debbie, oh so true. Great analogy. I do believe there are times when we can let the toothpaste out of the tube. Being nice all the time and letting people walk all over us just to get a commission always, goes against my grain.

Oct 09, 2012 02:14 AM

Dr. Paula McDonald

Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX

Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Hi Debbie,

Your words are so true. What a great analogy. I may have to "borrow" that.

Oct 09, 2012 05:55 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Have a most productive week with your camera in hand.

Oct 09, 2012 07:49 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Jon, I have seen longtime relationships torn down over some harshly spoken words. The speaker of the words regretted it the moment they passed his lips.

Jim, If we stop to listen and count to ten then we may not make so many mistakes.

Paige, Keep a lid on unless a well thought out has to be delivered.

Mary, That is a teachers application. I learned it from my pre-K children.

Winston, You most certainly need to speak your mind at times. I like the way you said diplomatically.

Bob, I have to really watch myself with emails. I sometimes rewrite 2 or 3 times to make sure the correct tone and message are delivered.

Roger, Your sweet words wouldn't hurt a fly. :)

Amada, Sometimes we mess up without meaning to and sometimes we wish we had a do-over.

Gabe, Stop and think. Then send it on if you must.

Joe, Those bites hurt and I know it makes me feel bad that I may have hurt someone without meaning to.

Jarred, Thanks for suggesting. The analogy really stuck with me.

Joanna, Words can be very hurtful. We just need to be careful.

Kristine, If we value our relationships, personal and in business, then we need to be careful.

Barbara-Jo, That is good stuff to teach the kids and us adults.

Chris and Dick, We do need to stand up for ourselves and speak our minds when it's appropriate.

Paula, Go ahead and borrow that. I borrow all the time until I forget.

Roy, I thank you as always for bringing your bit of sunshine to my post.

Oct 09, 2012 09:47 AM

Cindy Westfall

Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR

ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" HA! I can remember saying this...to try to ward off the sting of negative words. You are so right Debbie. It's much harder to "take them back" once they are out. Love your analogy with toothpaste.

Oct 09, 2012 01:21 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Nice analogy Debbie.

Oct 11, 2012 02:37 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Cindy, If we think first then hopefully we will have no regrets.

Donna, Thanks and hope all is well with you.

Oct 11, 2012 03:46 PM