Your words. Your power.

I've been mulling over this post for a while not sure how to write about it but I knew I wanted to & then something was said to someone I love very much that changed the course of their life and just confirmed my need to figure out how to WRITE IT OUT of my system. 

So here it goes......

"Why are you acting like a brat?" I uttered those words once, I saw her face change and instantly I swore I'd never say those words again to my girl. Did I mean it when I said it? No way!!! Is my girl a brat?? Absolutely not! However, I apologized to her just as quickly as I said those words. 

A rule in our house is we don't say words like--stupid, crap, shut up, hate or brat (those are the main ones I can think of) & be aware if you say those words around my girl....she WILL correct you, in a loving but stern way.  :) I'm trying to teach her why we don't say those words as well. I'm trying to impress on her the impact she will have on people around her with the words she speaks.  Growing up, I was raised believing that "death and life are in the power of our words".  I never actually made the connection until later in life.  I also grew up hearing both bad & good words spoken over me, to me, about me, but only remembering and letting the bad ones in and fester.....it becomes so easy to remember and hold on to the bad no matter how untrue they can be.  So I've made it a point, to the best of my ability as a parent, to be careful of the words I use to & around my girl....however, I begin to realize never really extended the same courtesy to other most of the time (I assume this ties into my "entitlement" post from a couple weeks back--lol) 

The words we speak out loud to someone, at someone, or even just to ourselves (if we mean them or not) can change a persons life in an instant.  I'm talking more than just cursing at someone but when there is intent attached to those words -- it can uplift us or tears us down.  Our mother's taught us that "if we can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" but how often do we do this? When we are angry, we utter angry words....when we are happy, we utter happy words. We never consider the outcome that once the words are given life (spoken) it plants a seed, everything else helps it grow.....thus changing/shifting the life of the person who hears those words.  Sure the person on the receiving end does play a role in how they receive those words but in the end they wouldn't have to if we were more courteous with our words. 

Do you want to be a person who builds up or tears down??  Be cautious with your words. For one week, hell ONE DAY be aware of how you speak to people...to people you like, to people you'd rather never see again or even to a stranger. Think of the words that are spoken to you & consider the impact it has on you....both great and small, both good and bad. 
We are so quick to blame others for our misery but how often do we take a look at ourselves, at the words we speak not just to other but even simply to ourselves.......our words are so much more powerful than we give them credit for so be aware. EVERYDAY. If you want things around you to begin to change start with your words.  Begin to change what you say about yourself, your situation and other people -- your words have the power to change your life and as hard as it may be to believe, your words have quite an impact on the lives around you. 

A challenge:  Take a second right now to look at the person you are with at this moment and say something kind........just because. Watch what happens.....

Remember your words, your power.