Right words.

Whoever came up with the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” I mean, seriously, who said that!!? Nothing about it sounds nice. First you’re talking about sticks and stones and then breaking bones, following with a rousing lie. We should stop telling kids this. In fact, we should figure out how to completely erase it from the history of man then it would never be repeated again. If this were to come to pass then the world would be a much better place without this load of mularcky floating around. (That’s muh-lar-key…for those of you not raised in the south.)

‘Tis true.

Words have a magnificent impact on the coming and goings of our lives, the highs, the lows, the joy, and the pain, all easily calmed or fueled by a few simple words. 

Taken literally, our frienemy statement above is, in fact, accurate.  Words cannot actually break bones. (I know. You had to sit down for that one, huh? Came as a shock.)

The thing is I have discovered that words can do much more than break bones. They have the power to lift you to the skies or slash you to the core…leaving you with internal wounds that are no easy task to mend.

When I was in 6th grade Tony Moore told me I was fat. I don’t remember any of the other mean or nice things anyone said to me in elementary school, but I remember that. 

Wounding words can be like a sponge ball covered in super glue, lodged inside, swelling, and growing, threatening to burst.

Healing words. Ah. Don’t you just love those people who open their mouths and their words simply heal  your soul?!! …I hope you know and have lots of these people in your life because they are blessings. They’re healers, those ones. Healing words know the antidote. (Side note: I originally wrote “anecdote” there. It didn’t look right so I used my handy dictionary.com to make sure I was correct in my usage. Turns out I wasn’t, but he told me “anecdote” is sometimes confused with “antidote.” How is he so smart? Anyways…)

Healing words can change your life, heal your wounds, and set you straight again.

Have you ever noticed which words people tend to use the most?

I give you a clue…they’re not the positive ones.

You guessed it…the negative ones. If you’re a girl…listen to any one of your girlfriends talk about herself. It will happen, you’ll know what I’m talking about. It won’t even take that long. Guys…listen to your dude-friends talk about other dudes. Are you trying to prove something?

We’re not very nice all the time…so a kind word is noticed.

The other day a friend I hadn’t seen in a while told me she was proud of me. We weren’t even having a conversation. Just…

Me: “Hi! I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you!!?”

She: “Hey girl…I am so proud of you.”

We’ll call her mama bear. And what you should know is mama bear is far more courageous, honest, eloquent, adventurous, and lively than I ever hope to be.

Mama bear’s words stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t have any idea what she was talking about or what in the world would compel her to say that…given I had done nothing to earn said praise. 

My point is…it’s almost five days later and I’m still feeling good about my friend’s comment.

Have you encourage someone lately? Have you spoken good, healing words or…wounding words? 

(This is where I bust out “Kumbaya” and we all hold hands and there is world peace.)

Love someone…be kind…tell them why you love them

…and for goodness sake stop being so mean to yourself.

Happy Friday…may it be filled with nice words.