Words

Words have the ability to:
encourage
discourage
hurt
help
heal
motivate
unite
divide
uplift
anger
educate
enlighten
bond
create
destroy
control
free
confuse
limit
lead
challenge
contradict
deceive
clarify
invent
move
imagine
abuse
perpetuate
scare
provoke
manipulate

The words we say to one another have far more significance on our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions more than we consciously realize. Even more so, they have an impact on others. Consider how many times people have had an idea that they wanted to try something different, feeling self-motivated to jump outside their conventional box and test the waters...only to be told "it will never happen," "don't even bother" (because of A, B, or C), or "you don't have this, that or the other in order to do that," and the list of negative discouragement goes on. Now, just because someone makes a discouraging remark doesn't necessarily mean you are easily swayed and will give up. But it could. Maybe you're in doubt about what you really want and that one disparaging statement was enough to sway you from going forward with it. This could also happen in the other direction. The slightest encouragement from a perfect stranger or a well meaning friend could give you just enough of a push to set your sails forward with a dream or unrealized gift you never really knew you had.

Words have the power to heal when we may have once believed all was lost, that we were broken beyond repair. Words allow us the opportunity to learn about ourselves and the world we live in, no matter how contradictory it may be. Words bring us closer together and they also tear us to smithereens. Words make things more complicated and other times provide insights. Words challenge and test our 'reality.' They free us, evoke creativity, and can move us to tears. Words can instill change. Words can perpetuate ignorance.

It is up to us, the words we choose.