| She peeks outside her window as if no one can see | | | | where the rumors came from. I laughed it off. The |
| her. Ms. Creola is the community gossiper. Later, Ms. | | | | gossip eventually flamed out, and my reputation was |
| Creola watches Sylvia, her neighbor across the | | | | left intact. Many people have not been as lucky as |
| street. Sylvia is married, but her husband regularly | | | | me. Unfortunately, most people get their reputations |
| travels out of town. Ms. Creola notices that a minister | | | | damaged, but they are not able to track the origin of |
| regularly visits her monthly. Ms. Creola believes Sylvia | | | | the gossip. The people who spread the gossip throw |
| is having an affair. She spreads this news all around | | | | mud and hide in the shadow of the dark. These |
| town. As a result, Sylvia is hurt by this gossip. Sylvia's | | | | gossipers who intentionally destroy a person's |
| community scandalizes the minister. Unfortunately, | | | | reputation are like criminals who fatally shoot people |
| this minister is Sylvia's cousin. Everyone in the | | | | in the back. Do they deserve a fair trial in court? It's |
| community feels bad. The damage is already been | | | | not fair that someone can throw out slanderous |
| done, however. Ms. Creola is nowhere to be found. | | | | remarks with little evidence and folks still believe it. |
| Introduction | | | | Gossipers can't wash their hands in the matter and |
| Have you ever been lied on? Did you track the | | | | hope that the blood is not on their hands. (It didn't |
| source? Gossip is an evil tool used to destroy a | | | | work for Pontius Pilate and it won't work for you.) |
| person's character. At some point in time, you've | | | | The Gossip Test |
| probably been exposed to gossip or rumors; you | | | | Before you go spread any rumors, you should ask |
| might have given or received this information. How | | | | yourself some questions:o Do you know anyone hurt |
| did you feel? Gossip usually has some aspect of truth | | | | from gossip?o Do you start gossip about people or |
| to make it believable. If you look around your office, | | | | just help spread it?o What do you do when someone |
| church, and community, you can find someone who | | | | shares vicious rumors?o Do you feel an obligation to |
| has been damaged by gossip. No one can escape it. | | | | tell others about gossip?o How do you feel when |
| Gossip is no respecter of status or rank in our | | | | someone's reputation is damaged? |
| society...not judge, minister, celebrity, handicap, or | | | | The Gossip Resolution |
| child. Gossip spreads like a wild fire. It is almost | | | | Everyone has some flaws; however, people who |
| always negative. | | | | accuse others often fail to see their own |
| The Gossip Connection | | | | shortcomings. Jean Toomer once said, " All men have |
| What does it mean to gossip? According to the | | | | faults. Small men are blind to their own, and therefore |
| Webster Dictionary, gossip refers to rumors, and idle | | | | main small." Each person is responsible to determine |
| talk, especially about the affairs of others. It can | | | | how he or she will deal with gossip and the source. |
| happen to anyone---even me. While in junior high | | | | Try not to place yourself in compromising positions |
| school, I remember talking with some guys from | | | | that will stimulate rumors. This is often difficult to |
| school near a busy intersection. The guys started | | | | foresee. Try to be prudent in your approach. Another |
| smoking marijuana; I wasn't participating. However, | | | | way to deal with gossip is to insert your name into |
| one student saw us talking. The next day at school | | | | the story. How does it make you feel? Good? Stay |
| the story came out that I was smoking with them | | | | far away from gossipers. It could easily be you next. |
| (yes, I was in the wrong place at the time). I | | | | Start today and gain control. |
| marveled at the speed of this information. I knew | | | | |
