by Jeannie Pitt

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 08, 2010

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Most of us grew up hearing this statement, but few were able to conquer the message contained within. Why? Because words can hurt. Words can lead to stress, anguish and broken relationships. Words can ruin lives. But words can also empower, encourage, uplift, and comfort. Words can be the beginning of something great, and words can help bring about positive change. Words can produce peace.

How is it that simple words can hold so much power? A collection of mere sounds which form voices that can be understood by millions. A collection of written symbols which form documents that can be understood by millions. These sounds and symbols have the power to literally change people's lives. This is a difficult concept to consider. Perhaps that's why we don't often give thought to how our words can affect the conditions around us.

Give some thought to the last time you read a phrase, a paragraph, a newspaper article or a novel that changed the way you look at your life. Or maybe you turned on the television and watched a program designed to feed you a new viewpoint. Think of that cozy, corner store in your neighborhood that stood for a hundred years and has now been replaced by a parking lot. People were discussing the fate of that store long before it was destroyed; a change brought about by words.

If you write for a living, or even just for fun, perhaps it has occurred to you just how powerful words can be. Internal feelings, global movements and physical matter can be created from something that began as an intangible thought. Something can be created from nothing. Formulated correctly, words can transform convincing and influential ideas into acts of goodwill or bad. People can be prompted to change their opinions and viewpoints to reflect those of the writer. People can learn new concepts and express conflicting attitudes, all with the power of words.

It is time that we begin to consider this power and use it in a more productive fashion. Spoken words may even be more powerful than those which are read from a page. Before you speak harsh words, might it be wise to consider how these words go beyond your intended target? Whether or not you possess power in other parts of your life, you will always be able to use the power of words. Choose to wield this power for positive creations.

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