Watching an interview today on the news, an esteemed professor of history warned the casual use of powerful words.
In an article this past week, I discovered this year’s annual list of banished words.
And on the days after the events of January 6th, I watched as scholars, journalists, heads of state, friends and family searched for words to describe what they saw, and how they felt.
Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.
Edgar Allan Poe
No one will convince me that words don’t have power.
When we were children, I remember hearing ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’
Excuse my language, but that’s total bullshit.
From childhood through adulthood, I’ve experienced the impact of words spoken to inflict pain. And I’ve experienced the magic of words spoken and written to comfort and inspire.
Our words have power, meaning, and when wielded with good intention they can change the world.
Choose your words wisely as they will leave your mind and travel to others through space and time. Once they are in the world, they can not be unheard.
But when words escape you, maybe it’s time to listen.
