You said what??

Excuse Me, You Said What?

In my online Quaker meeting, a Friend was sharing and SUDDENLY, my Artificial Intelligence (AI) unit, Alexa, began talking out of the blue, followed by music I’ve never heard before. I was totally startled! Did I program a reminder for myself on this AI device and forget? But where did the unknown music come from?

Thank heavens I was muted on Zoom. Quickly halted my online video, rushed over to Alexa, and said “stop!” Rushed back to Zoom, turned on video. Mind churning, the Twilight Zone TV show theme playing in my head…

Ohhhh, insight strikes. Something in the sharing of the person speaking on Zoom triggered Alexa to turn on and play music. Whoa, mysterious words with an absolutely unintended effect.

Hmmm… maybe like some of the words I use, unintentionally. Never really knowing their power as I just casually TOSS them off. Forgetting those little verbal critters can: unexpectedly turn on Alexa, bring light into someone’s darkness, incite pain or shame, or plant a seed which will later grow into fullness.

Yep, my words. Are my words unintentional stinging slingshots, balm, or seeds for future growth?  I’d like to thank Alexa for the reminder that words can have unexpected outcomes. How can I be more intentional with the words I share, leading to greater connection rather than stinging slingshots (or waking up Alexa in the middle of a Zoom Quaker meeting?)