Many of us are very preoccupied about catching the swine flu that is going around. We wash our hands, get the flu shots, use disinfectants for cleaning and take other precautions. Some even wear face masks in airplanes and public transportation in order to prevent themselves from being infected. However, only a few people are worried about catching another very dangerous type of virus – Human Gossip Virus or HGV (do not confuse with HGTV).

Gossip Virus is very similar to all other viruses. It is transmitted by air. It is highly contagious and it spreads like wildfire. It can be highly negative, inflammatory and harmful to the person being spoken about. And it makes people who indulge in gossiping suffer such side-effects as regret and a sense of guilt.

The news is not comforting – psychologists say that more and more people report being addicted to gossip!

Initially it seems so harmless. Having a little chitchat with your girlfriend about a mutual friend. Discussing Hollywood stars’ breakups, drunken fights and failed marriages. Expressing your dissatisfaction about your boss’s decision. Debating over someone else’s relationships.

What can be so harmful about that? – Just a few people, expressing their opinions and discussing the latest news. Looks absolutely innocent.  But the consequences can be irreversible: ruined relationships, destroyed reputations, lack of trust and respect towards you (just to name a few)

Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to become immune to gossiping:

1. Wear a Gossip-Less Bracelet. Wise people from the East have an interesting habit. Whenever they want to say something negative about another person, they take their bracelet from one wrist and place it on the other wrist. It gives them time to reflect if they really want to say those words. I do the same thing. Whenever I get the urge to criticize someone or to share the latest gossip, I look at my bracelet and it reminds me of my goal.
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