In a book (and later a movie) called Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, the heroine, Ella, receives a very unhelpful blessing which quickly becomes a curse. She must obey any command given to her by another person. Imagine if we had a similar blessing given to us except with a twist. We would have to do anything we ourselves pledge to do. Any pledge that comes out of our mouth would require immediate and literal action by us. Would that curtail the things we speak? Continue reading →