By Lilian Beh
“Words are just words. They won’t hurt you,” we tell our children when they have been hurt by the callous words of another child. We just shrug it off when someone admonishes us. Or under the banner of `truth’, we brush it off because it’s the truth at all costs.
If you think about it, fights have been started, revolutions have been ignited and relationships torn apart over words. The tongue can be both a blessing and a curse. So why are we still so careless with what we say? And what can we do about this?
It starts with our mindset. What is our mindset towards the words that we use? Do we believe that words have the power to lift or maim a person? What is your belief about words? Do you use them differently with your friends? Acquaintances? Close ones? Family?
Look back to your past, think of the types of words used among the people you grew up with, the people whom you were influenced by. You may find that you use words differently with different types of people, with different levels of care. You may find that the way you speak, may be echoes of the people whom you were influenced by.
Do you like the pictures you see? The words popping up in your mind? What is your intention about the words you use? Is it to hurt, cut, or uplift, inspire, motivate? Is this where you’d like to be? If not, what would you want it to be instead?
The pictures I see of my own experience show that I have used words carelessly especially with those closest to me. It made me feel good when I took away my filter, taking for granted that the other person would understand. But instead I had caused hurt, anger, bitterness, shame, embarrassment and sometimes, unforgiveness at my worst moments.
What do you choose to do with words? I choose to be more intentional with my words. What about you?