The Power of Words
Words are a lot more powerful than most people give them credit for. In elementary school, there's that age old mantra; 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.' Give me the sticks and stones any day. Sticks and stones may scrape me up. They may even give me a bruise. Scrapes and bruises heal. Sometimes, with the right words, you never heal. And at least with scrapes and bruises you have the scar to prove what happened. You can look at that and remember. You can look at that and discard. Words still wound you, only you don't have the pleasure of the scar. There's no proof that it happened. There's nothing, except for the emptiness you feel every time you think about it. There are words that can ruin your day. You fall asleep thinking about what was said, and wake up with the words echoing in your head. Can't get them out, can't push away the meaning behind them. Can't get away from what they make you feel. Words are worse than sticks and stones. Words have the power to cut deeper than any knife. They have the power to burn more painfully than the hottest fire. Words have the power to inspire acts, you never thought possible. If you say enough cruel words to someone, if you tear them down enough, you can push them to hurt others and themselves in amazingly tragic ways. All because of words someone said to them. A few cold words can have more of a negative impact that most people think.
On the other hand, a few wonderful words can have an amazingly positive impact. Words have the power to lift you up and make you feel like nothing can touch you. The right words to a child can make them believe they can do anything in this world. Words can elicit more words. When someone says something amazing to you, you can't stop talking about what they said and how it made you feel. Those wonderful words make you want to do better, be more, do anything to continue to make that person say the words they are saying. They push you to success. Words can be inspiring, that is how they have the ability to elect leaders. Leaders use words to convey what they stand for, to inspire others to believe the same, and to convince them that they are the ones that can change the world to reflect that image. They do this all through words. Words can help you reach another plane of existence. It was through words that God inspired people to believe and it is words, whether aloud or in our heads, which we use to pray and communicate with Him. Words have the power to bring people closer together. They can connect you in a way you never thought possible. They have the power to provide solace, support, excitement and comfort. Good words can put a smile on your face, make your heart beat faster and keep you thinking about the same person all day long. A few loving words can be all you need in this world.
Words are the avenue of our lives. They make or break it. It is words that get you through an interview, words that bind you to another person in a wedding ceremony. It is words that send you to rest when you've gone from this life. Words begin and end everything. Words are more powerful than most people give them credit for. Sometimes they are the most wonderful thing in my life. And sometimes I wish they didn't have the effect they did.