Words may be the strongest tool given to a human being. They can be thrust hard, making another feel the piercing blow of a razor sharp blade. They can feel as soft and comforting as a down filled pillow to lay their head upon and drift off to sleep.
One can speak words of inspiration that makes everyone in earshot stop and listen. Or words can be spoken too quickly, without thought, making a man a fool.
They label us. What does your label say? Are you kind-hearted or mean spirited? Do you emanate understanding or judgment?
Words have the power to start a war, but also hold the strength and perseverance to stop one. Words possess the beauty to ignite a relationship but can turn ugly, enough to extinguish the flame of love.
The written word has changed minds, changed hearts and souls, empowered some and degraded others. Strung together long enough, books have been made with literary imagination energetic enough to carry us to foreign lands, experience exotic cultures or feel the pain of another’s plight. Books gift readers with more knowledge than they ever dreamed of. Filled with bold words to connect us, free us or equip us with a metaphysical suit of armor to handle the struggles of life.
Have you read a book that changed your way of thinking? Did a book help heal your broken soul? Did the words rattle off the page “You are not alone! ”?
Words have united us as human beings traveling the same journey, but also led to hurtful segregation among sexes, races and religions. No physical action is needed when one choses to use their words as weapons. Speaking as if one community of people is better or deserving of more rights than another slices deep into the fascia of society.
How have your words been used? Have they united you with others or separated you? Have you expressed them with love and concern for another or have you allowed bitterness to pass through your lips hoping someone else would feel its sting?
I admit I have used my words poorly, at times hurting the one closest to me. It is all too easy to spit flammable words and burn another in the heat of anger. And I regretted it as soon as they left my mouth for bile hurts not only the one who hears it, but the one who speaks it as well.
Be ever conscientious in how you use your most powerful tool. Chose the path of illumination, or forever be eclipsed by regret.
“Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.” ~ Jodi Picoult
“ Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.” ~ Patrick Rothfuss
“ Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~ Mother Teresa
WRITE OUTSIDE 
This is very true and well put. You’ve always used your words to encourage in my life and I am thankful for that. When I read this I thought of how your mother let me borrow any books from her bookcase almost as soon as we met. One of my favorites was The Power of One about a boy in South Africa. The raw reality and emotions of it gave me a window to a different world and in ways his feelings resonated with me helping me not feel alone. Ever since I read it, I knew I’d want to make others feel that too. I thank your mom for many things and that’s a big one: giving me access to her collection of words:)
She had an impact on so many. I feel blessed you and I could be near to soak up her light. I hope to one day have given as much as she did.