As someone who spends a lot of time writing - both personally and professional - I'm amazed at just how surprised I find myself about the power of words. From birth we are taught words to convey how we feel, what we want, basic needs and desires. But, have you ever noticed that some of the smallest words and phrases in our language carry the heaviest weight, strength and often burden?
8 letters - 3 words - 1 meaning - ever heard that expression? Nice way of summarizing "I love you" but, is it really true? I don't think those words have just 1 meaning. Think about the power those words have - how many prom dresses have hit the ground when those words were uttered in the backseat of a car or hotel room? Those words mesmerize us and bind us to others. We spend most of our lives searching for that someone that makes us feel "loved". That is a pretty awesome quest.
Some of our best leaders have realized what they say matters and have utilized that to change our world - both good and bad. Think of the other words and phrases that we toss around every day without really thinking through what they will really do to those we say them to. "I need you", "You're stupid", "I'm sorry", "Stop", "don't", "No".....we forget how such little words and phrases can build dreams or shatter them just as quickly. Why do we do that to each other? What happened to just being nice to people - do unto others as you'd have them do unto you? Do I expect too much from people? Rarely do we offer words of praise to one another. Instead we throw them around like daggers meant to rip people down. Do we feel this incessant need to do this to build ourselves up? What's the payoff for us? Words are powerful. Words are used far too often as weapons - both to be hurtful and to manipulate.
What's the point of this rant? I guess if you take nothing else from this post - take from it that you can't take back the words you choose to use. You can't stop the wheels you put in motion with the things you speak. Choose your words carefully. Think before you speak. It only takes a minute to think it through but a lifetime often to make up for things you say.
A very reflective Pandora wishing the world would a kinder, gentler place.
1 comment:
You are right, words are powerful. Thanks for reminding us that we should think before we speak. Maybe if more people did there would be a lot less confusion and hurt. I hope I remember to think first, speak second.
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