One of the lessons that has stuck with me since college is the idea that you “can’t un-ring a bell.” You can correct information, make apologies for what was said, or reverse your position, but there are no “takebacks.” What was said was said.
I thought about this yesterday when an opinion piece stated incorrect data as if it were facts. I’m sure a rebuttal will be forthcoming from the affected party, but it won’t “un-ring the bell.” The wrong impression was made, and the correction will never reach everyone who read it or heard it from someone else.
Think about the bell the next time you are tempted to share something. Once your passion seeps through or your information is faulty, there is no un-ringing. Better to pause until you’re certain you want those vibrations in the world permanently.
