Sweet Words

We are who we think we are; our perception is our reality. As infants we come into the world as a blank canvas and much of what we are told about ourselves help to create who we are as adults.

As children we often repeated the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Words can hurt and create, in us, feelings of inferiority and deficiency, especially, when negativity comes from someone we respect and love. In fact, words can hurt, emotionally, far more than sticks and stones and the significance can last a lifetime.

We have all heard thoughtless remarks come out of the mouths of intelligent, well-meaning people. In the heat of anger or in a moment of frustration we are all capable of abruptly speaking damaging words. "I can't believe you did that!" or "You'll never amount to anything" can become internal messages that will be played over and over again by the recipient.

We have seen marriages, families and friendships destroyed by carelessness. How often we take for granted those who mean the most to us! How many of us let the old nasty "baggage" we carry, spill out onto those around us? Our spouse, children, extended family and friends all need expressions of kindness and encouragement.

Let's remember to make our words sweet and in return we will be rewarded. By becoming more concerned with the welfare of others, we will become happier and more respected in our daily lives and we may just motivate someone else to become all they were meant to be.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of being." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe