Words have immense power. A friend tells you that you are looking lovely and you find yourself walking just that bit taller the rest of the day. Someone says they love you and you bloom. A child tells you that he loves his yummy dinner and it makes you glad. Actions may speak louder than words but words have the power to transform even over a distance.
Many a time when I have felt low and depressed, a phone call from someone who cares enough to check up on me changes my mood drastically. Sometimes it is my children who tell me the most beautiful things. Who hasn’t felt the impact of harsh words? Have you seen how a child visibly wilts under the angry lash of words you didn’t manage to control in time? I have regretted most the words I have spoken in anger to many – they may have been justified or not – but they could never be taken back. Indeed it took nearly six years for me to undo the mistake of one impassioned speech. That relationship is still not fully mended and I doubt if it will ever be unless the right words of love are spoken to heal things but the ego intervenes and messes matters up.
Words to lift up and words to let down. Words to entrance and words to distract. Words to fulfill and words to deny. There are all sorts of words and their power is simply astonishing. Try thinking different words and saying different words than is your wont. No matter how irritated you are, try to substitute words of anger for words that are soothing or at least quieter. The transformation in you and around you will be beautiful.
