Mouth To Mouth Manipulation

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Mouth To Mouth Manipulation
In the coral reefs of the Caribbean lives a small fish known as the Kissing Fish. It's only about five to eight centimetres long. It's also bright blue and quick and a delight to behold. Perhaps the most fascinating feature about this fish is its kiss. And it's not uncommon to see two of these fish with lips pressed and fins thrashing. When this takes place, they give the appearance of serious underwater romance. At first sight, you would think this species would be an aquarium lover's dream. They look energetic, vivid, luminous, and affectionate. But looks can be deceiving. For what appears to be a gentle friend in the sea is actually a pint-sized bully of the deep. Ferociously territorial, the Kissing Fish has laid claim to its camp and wants no visitors. His square metre of coral is his and no one else's. He found it, he staked it out, and he wants no other of his kind near it. Just challenge his boundaries and he'll take you on, jaw to jaw. So what appears to be a tryst is actually underwater martial arts. Mouth pushing. Liplocking. Literal jawboning. Power moves with the tongue. Sounds funny doesn't it? It also sounds familiar, doesn't it? Friend, we don't have to go to the Caribbean to see that type of power struggle. Mouth-to-mouth manipulation isn't limited to the Caribbean. Look closely at the people in your world (or the person in your mirror). You might be surprised how fishy things get when people demand their way. Kissing Fish aren't the first to use their mouth to make their point. Before civilization came of age a person proved his manhood by burying his hatchet in the other fellow's skull. But we became civilized and learned how to butcher our opponent with words. The tongue is a deadly weapon. As Solomon wrote, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). The tragedy of the Kissing Fish is that he sees so little. All his oral warfare gets him is the same view from the same patch of coral. Had I a word with him, had I a moment with the creature who is possessed with a passion to protect his own and keep out what is new … I would challenge him to look around. I would say what I need someone to say to me when I get territorial about my opinions: Let go of your territory for a while. Explore some new reefs. Scout some new regions. It seems to me that there is much to be gained by closing your mouth and opening your eyes. Friend, if you would like to have a FREE copy of a small book to trigger your thinking about the power of your words, I invite you to write to me and ask for "What You Say Is Powerful". You'll receive your copy by return mail. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany, WA 6331. Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au. I hope this is a good day for you and I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you next week.

In the coral reefs of the Caribbean lives a small fish known as the Kissing Fish. It's only about five to eight centimetres long. It's also bright blue and quick and a delight to behold. Perhaps the most fascinating feature about this fish is its kiss. And it's not uncommon to see two of these fish with lips pressed and fins thrashing. When this takes place, they give the appearance of serious underwater romance.

At first sight, you would think this species would be an aquarium lover's dream. They look energetic, vivid, luminous, and affectionate. But looks can be deceiving. For what appears to be a gentle friend in the sea is actually a pint-sized bully of the deep.

Ferociously territorial, the Kissing Fish has laid claim to its camp and wants no visitors. His square metre of coral is his and no one else's. He found it, he staked it out, and he wants no other of his kind near it.

Just challenge his boundaries and he'll take you on, jaw to jaw. So what appears to be a tryst is actually underwater martial arts. Mouth pushing. Liplocking. Literal jawboning. Power moves with the tongue.

Sounds funny doesn't it? It also sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Friend, we don't have to go to the Caribbean to see that type of power struggle. Mouth-to-mouth manipulation isn't limited to the Caribbean.

Look closely at the people in your world (or the person in your mirror). You might be surprised how fishy things get when people demand their way. Kissing Fish aren't the first to use their mouth to make their point.

Before civilization came of age a person proved his manhood by burying his hatchet in the other fellow's skull. But we became civilized and learned how to butcher our opponent with words. The tongue is a deadly weapon. As Solomon wrote, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21).

The tragedy of the Kissing Fish is that he sees so little. All his oral warfare gets him is the same view from the same patch of coral. Had I a word with him, had I a moment with the creature who is possessed with a passion to protect his own and keep out what is new … I would challenge him to look around.

I would say what I need someone to say to me when I get territorial about my opinions: Let go of your territory for a while. Explore some new reefs. Scout some new regions. It seems to me that there is much to be gained by closing your mouth and opening your eyes.

Friend, if you would like to have a FREE copy of a small book to trigger your thinking about the power of your words, I invite you to write to me and ask for "What You Say Is Powerful". You'll receive your copy by return mail. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany, WA 6331. Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au.

I hope this is a good day for you and I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you next week.