Do you remember the childhood comeback: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Well, like many things we were taught growing up, it’s not true. Words have power, for good and bad. Anyone who has been the target of harsh criticism, vicious rumors, or careless put downs can tell you the harm words can cause. And if you’ve ever been given a sincere compliment, a positive review, or even a simple love note, then you know the value and power of positive words too. In researching the power of words, I’ve come across some great advice, some interesting findings, and some great quotes from people who use words to make the world a better place.
Advice on the Power of Words
Many writers have written or spoken about the power of words. This is not surprising considering writers make their living through their use of words. There are many others professions in which the power of words is important. And many of these professionals have expressed warnings when it comes to the power words hold. This is true of mental health professionals, motivational speakers, and spiritual leaders.
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.” – Yehuda Berg
“Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.” – Maya Angelou
“There is power in words. What you say is what you get.” – Zig Ziglar
“Words are containers for power. You choose what kind of power they carry.” – Joyce Meyer
“Words… They’re innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they’re no good any more… I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little or make a poem which children will speak for you when you’re dead.” – Tom Stoppard
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
Tips For Using the Power of Words
Choose Your Words Carefully
Once it’s been said, you can’t take it back. Sure, you can apologize. But unkind or even just careless words leave their mark. One of my very first posts talked about thinking before you speak. In this post, I mentioned a poster that hung on my classroom wall that said: THINK before you speak: Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, kind? If we can encourage children to think before they speak, we shouldn’t do anything less ourselves.
Speak Kindly to Yourself
If it’s important to choose your words wisely, imagine how important the words you use internally are. I recently read about the power of two little words: I am. If your inner dialogue includes I am worthy, smart, capable, and important, then you’re on the right path. But if you say things like I am fat, stupid, or lazy, it’s time to change your conversation. Imagine someone speaking that way to your child, parent, or another loved one. How would you react? If you wouldn’t say it to someone else, don’t say it to yourself.
In fact, the only conversation you have total control of is the one you’re having with yourself. You can’t keep other people from putting you down or gossiping about you. What you can do is speak kindly to yourself. Sometimes it takes practice, but it is possible and it is worth it.
Avoid Gossip
It seems like gossip is nearly impossible to avoid. It’s in our work places. We hear it from friends and neighbors. It’s even packaged and sold to us as “news.” But making an effort to avoid gossip has big payoffs. Rumors hurt both the person they are about and they people who spread them. If you’ve ever been the victim of gossip and rumors, you know the damage they can cause. Hurt feelings, mistrust, and lowered self-esteem can all occur. If you have been involved in sharing gossip or spreading rumors, you know that in the long run, it is damaging to you too. People lose trust in those who gossip. After all, if they talk about people with you, they’ll talk about you to other people. Overall, gossip and rumor are negative ways of communicating and should be removed from our conversations.
Practice Affirmations
You may remember the Saturday Night Live character, Stuart Smalley. If not, check YouTube for some funny videos. The character used affirmations to build his self-esteem. “Dog gone it, I’m good enough!” While the skits make for a fun laugh, there is real power behind practicing positive affirmations.
Earlier we mentioned how important it is to speak kindly to yourself. Affirmations take this idea to another level. We’ve all had thoughts like “I’ll never be able to do that” or “I’m not enough.” Affirmations are positive thoughts and words that replace negative ones. If you think of the brain as a muscle you need to train, affirmations are the exercise. You need to work out the brain in healthy ways. This includes positive thoughts. Telling yourself “I can do this” and “I am enough” can actually change your thoughts patterns. It takes practice and persistence, but it is possible to change your thinking. Check out the Law of Attraction website to learn more. I also like this article from the Huffington Post on affirmations.
More Positive Words
There are countless ways we can use our words in positive ways. It starts with choosing our words wisely. Positive words are more likely to create a positive result. We can share good news via text, email, and social media. We can take the time to give a sincere compliment. If we feel inclined to criticize, we can count to ten and hold our tongue before we say something we can’t take back.
How about wearing a good words or two? Last week, I published a post about a great way to share the power of words. I have found a business called The Faithful Merchant. They make jewelry, home decor, and accessories with positive messages on them. I also love all the vintage look tees out there with good vibes messages on them. Check out this one from Amazon:
YOMISOY Womens Rainbow Long Sleeve T Shirt Graphic Cute Good Vibes Casual Blouse Tops
Whether you wear positive words, share positive words, or speak positive words, the result is them same. It makes our world a little happier, a little friendly, and a definitely better to live in.
Thanks for reading and please share. I look forward to reading your comments in the section below.
