Mindful Teachers: T.H.I.N.K. Before You Speak: Case Studies in Mindful Speech

For each of the following situations, decide whether the person followed these guidelines for mindful speech:

Is what I want to say True?
Is what I want to say Helpful?
Am I the best one to say it?
Is it necessary to say it Now?
Is it Kind to this person and others?

[THINK definition from Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety by Dr. Christopher Willard]

Mark √ for yes, X for no, or ? if you’re not sure. There could be more than one 'correct' answer. The purpose of this activity isn't to get a particular score but to reflect on the situations and whether you've witnessed or experienced something similar in your own life.

1. Cheryl got a really unflattering haircut. I told her, “Your hair looks great!”

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

2. As soon as Cheryl left the room, I said to my friends, “Cheryl’s hair looks terrible, doesn’t it?"

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

3. My brother did something that made me very angry. I told him, "It's really hard for me to forgive you. I need some time alone before we talk about this."

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

4. I suspect my sister might be pregnant. Without asking her, I mention my suspicions to our parents.

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

5. I think my sister might be pregnant. I ask her if it’s true, and if there’s any way I can help her.

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

6. My name is Kanye. I was upset when Taylor won an award because I thought my friend Beyoncé should have won. I interrupted Taylor’s speech and told everyone Beyoncé’s video was better.

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

7. My name is Beyoncé. When I won an award later that night, I invited Taylor back onstage to finish her speech.

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

8. Kanye asked me, “Do you think I’m a jerk?” I told him “Yeah, but I like your music.”

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

9. My name is Justin Bieber. After I visited Anne Frank’s house, I wrote this in the guestbook:

"Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a belieber."

(Fans of Justin Bieber's music call themselves "beliebers.")

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

10. After Justin Bieber got a lot of criticism for his comment, I posted this at the Anne Frank Facebook page:

"Despite everything, I believe people are really good at heart."

I think before everyone goes bashing Justin Bieber we should take a moment to think about these words and why Anne said them.

(This is a real comment that was posted at the site.)

Did I T.H.I.N.K. before I spoke?

____T____H____I____N____K

Photo by imagerymagestic for FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Questions for further reflection and discussion:

In the above situations, how could “I” have chosen to respond differently, and what impact would that have had on other people?
Did any of the situations remind you of something from your own life? What happened, and did you and the other people involved T.H.I.N.K. before you spoke?
Have you ever said something that was true but unkind or kind but untrue?
Is it possible to say something kind but unhelpful?

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