Choose Your Words Wisely - A Brief Look at the Dynamic Power of Language
This is written from a person who thinks Marvel'sDeadpoolstole his name, "The Maverick With a Mouth." These tips have been distilled from the mind of one of the world's foremost thinkers on the power of words: me.
(Don't bother Googling that one, it's purely based on the fact that my mother told me so.)
Words compose such a vast majority of our culture and life, yet we throw them around like we were having a mere water balloon fight on a hot summer afternoon.
Have you stopped to consider the profundity of your language? The words you bandy about on a daily basis without thinking, or perhaps after much consideration, can easily steer the course of someone's day. Your tongue is such a small part of the overall "ship," yet it can steer the entire ship as easily as a rudder makes an oil tanker obey its whims.
Overall, words just may be the singularly most destructive weapon in the arsenal of man. Think of it: all marriages that end in divorce, peace that ends in war, life that ends with death sentences...all of these events can be traced to words on a contract upheld or broken.
Have you arrested your tongue in mid-sentence yet, realizing what was coming out from behind your teeth didn't pass through the proper filter? What about the words in the flaming email - did you hit "send" a bit too soon? Did you "tweet" something you should have trashed?
Weigh carefully the devastating potential of your words, as well as the converse: the healing power of your well-timed encouragement and assurance. In illustration, consider a jury of 12 peers deciding on a "guilty" or "not guilty" verdict - these are merely words on a page, yet they're life-changing. All verdicts are based on more words: the law.
Consider for instance the sheer number of wars that have been fought with a written "Declaration of War," hopefully to end with a written "Peace Treaty" or other such contract. Words.
It's also been said that marriage is simply a "piece of paper," which says a lot about a people. The fact is, marriage is based on a mutual agreement, a contract - and both parties need to keep theirword.
Years ago, the hip-hop culture used a one-word phrase to nod agreement, an homage to the power of words,"Word!"
Words are all around us. They define, uplift, inform, cast us down, destroy and liberate or enslave us. I'm committing to using my words for your benefit. I want those who read my words be the better for it. I want those who hear me receive wisdom and encouragement.
Another consideration to your words is the tone behind them - but that is an entirely separate article, isn't it? I'll just say this about tone: body language and tone of voice are just as communicative as the sentence spilling out of your mouth. They deserve equal consideration before you speak.
I hope that you pause today as you think about the impact of your words. Whatever you do with your words is your business. Just give it some thought before you start slinging syllables.
