A PIECE OF MY MIND
I have said it – I have heard it said. In case you are unfamiliar with the saying, it usually implies the intent of an individual to express their thoughts to another individual about something done to them or someone they love. This is not a positive statement. It implies negativity on both fronts… the precipitating incident and what will happen when the “give them a piece of my mind,” is shared. Usually, what is experienced with giving another “a piece of my mind,” ends up being “giving up my peace of mind” … rumination about the act committed and anticipation about what to say regarding the infarction and the emotions involved land a decisive blow to one’s peace of mind.
To give(verb), means to freely hand over to another something. In this case, it is freely handing over a precious piece of yourself that can never be gotten back and will not be well received (wasn’t ever intended to be probably). Even the satisfaction of feeling good with the action and outcome is less than expected. Sometimes there may be a sense of euphoria after delivering a piece of your mind, if only briefly. But what about your peace of mind?
To give(noun), is the capacity to bend or alter shape under pressure, elasticity – flexibility – stretch. Under this umbrella, the “give” in the statement “give them a piece of my mind,” changes in tone and tenor as does its intent. As a noun, one may find the capacity for the mind to be altered under the pressure of the infarction and the emotions created by it. It may allow the planned delivery of “a piece of my mind,” most likely angrily, to be stretched to see the “thing” differently and to evaluate the possibilities of responses more critically. Sometimes this action confirms that “giving them a piece of my mind” is absolutely the right course of action. Other times, one might discover that the right course of action may come at a price too costly for one’s peace of mind. One may also discover that the shelter and preservation of one’s inner peace of mind by keeping the “piece of mind” to oneself, satisfaction enough.
These are a lot of words about piece and peace of mind. One thing is certain, once a piece is given away it cannot be reclaimed. Like a pie when sliced, it is sliced, period. Before you give away count the cost. Be mindful that giving “them a piece of my mind” may result in giving “them my peace of mind” as well.
PONDER THIS THOUGHT--- “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” Dalai Lama
Loved this, Gwen! Gives me something else to think about: Will I really have peace of mind if I let someone else have a piece of it? Good word of caution! Thank you! Cynthia
I love the play on the words piece of my mind as opposed to my peace of mind. Very thought provoking-Von