Power of Words

No longer are we relegated to the era of the caveman when gutteral grunts and gestures got us by. Language has evolved into an art form with slang terms accepted in most of today's dictionaries. For those of us capable of rapid thought and speech delivery, I applaud the ability, for most of us don't ponder our choice of words or think past those which issue forth from our mouths. There are consequences to every word uttered.

It is by our own education and life experience that we learn to associate words. For the illiterate, language is still formed and words recognized instinctively though they may never see them in print. We learn the value of words and the power of them to influence others and the association of the word differs with each individual. If you've ever done the association test, saying the first thing that comes to mind when a word is spoken, you learn a lot about what motivates you.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me."....the childhood litany sang so often but so very untrue. Words do have the power to hurt, sometimes doing much more harm than sticks and stones ever shall. Words used to criticize a child shape how that person sees himself for the rest of his life. Words hurled in anger between those who supposedly love one another break the foundation of trust. Words used in derogatory terms regarding another inhibit respect, understanding and acceptance......so much of what the world needs. Words spread with little regard to truthful content destroy lives and reputations. You can heal from your physical injuries but we too often absorb into our persona those words used by others in regards to us and they become ingrained in our psyche unless we're strong enough, confident enough, to recognize them for what they are and withstand them.

Words have the ability to encourage, heal, uplift. When someone doubts himself, having the right person expressing belief in him can make all the difference. Showing love in every action is important and yet people will wait an entire lifetime in hopes of hearing the words said outloud as if in confirmation of all they are perceiving. Words have brought comatose victims back to consciousness after keeping that person linked to the present. Words cheer on that lagging athlete to encourage that extra ounce of effort.

With the written word, you have the ability to educate and inspire, share thoughts with others at a distance, create binding agreements between individuals and nations, as well as leave a legacy for those who come after you. There are many benefits to the written word and they are equally, if not more, important than those verbal ones.

Our vocabulary is limited to our education and experience but mostly by ourselves. A limited vocabulary prohibits complete comprehension unless you remain at all times within the same environment. Take a man unexposed to more than common slang, not self-educated, and he will struggle to keep pace with someone in a different arena. The chances of one understanding the other are slim unless they share the time and desire to do so. That is not to say that the first man is unintelligent; only that the differences exist which will have to be overcome ......somewhat akin to sign language; unless exposed to it, you can't understand it.

We choose the words we use and we choose the manner in which we use them. For every word we speak or write, there are consequences for them. The consequences may be positive or negative but that aspect is totally within our control. And we should always remember that once they are uttered, there is no taking them back.