The Power of Words

Words are such a powerful thing that most people don’t even think twice about.  I know a lot of people who will just blurt out what is going through their mind without any regard for how will affect others.

You never know how long your words will stay in someone’s mind long after you have forgotten you even spoke them.  It is not always easy to remember to think about what we are saying before we actually say it.  I know I have had my fair share of ‘foot in mouth’ moments in the past.  In some situations this problem is often unavoidable.  Some conversations move so fast that you don’t have time to think about what you have said until the words have already parted from you lips.  But at this point, it’s often too late.

Aside from the occasional slip up there are the people who intentionally say things to you to get a reaction.  These are the types of people I simply cannot tolerate. They are just downright nasty and will say things that they know will offend; but that of course is their intention. People can be so cruel to each other.  This is something that I have often had trouble wrapping my head around.  I have never completely understood what is gained by putting someone else down.  Does it make that person feel better about themselves or is it pure insecurity from the person being mean.  That they simply cannot make it through life without feeling that they are the superior person in any situation? I don’t think I will ever totally get this, but in a way I glad I don’t.

Another way that words can be dangerous is when someone is telling a story about another and they embellish a little to make them sound more interesting the listener.  The listener who could possibly be hearing about the person being talked about may never have met them and yet they already have a picture in their mind of what that person is like be it a true reflection or not.  The listener has allowed themselves to be influenced by person telling the story through their views of the person.

Not all people will get along but I am a strong beliver in finding out for myself what someone is like.  I am not saying for a second that i have not, in the past, listened to a friend talking about soemone that i know of; but am not so familiar with.  I too have taken on board what they have had to say about their opinions and experiences with the person but i still like to retain the final judgement for myself.

The moral of my ramblings are:

Be careful what you say to people.

Always think about what your intentions are when you are talking to someone.  Never intentionally say things that are not true to make yourself sound more interesting or to make the person you are talking to feel any less valued.  Always try to be polite and friendly; aside from making you into a nicer person to be around it actually does make you feel good.

Take car of eachother and be happy! 🙂