I don’t get annoyed so much these days. My road rage is a thing of the past and I gave up stressing about the state of my daughter’s bedroom years ago. But a quote a friend posted on instagram recently did annoy me. It went as follows:
‘What does it feel like to be so weak that mere words hurt you?’
You see, I don’t subscribe to the motto ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ Try telling that to someone being bullied at school, home, or their place of work.
Words are powerful. Words change worlds. They can damage and devastate, but equally they can inspire and motivate.
Please don’t fool yourself that they don’t matter. They do.
I had to have a rather dodgy looking mole on my body checked out recently. My doctor was worried about it. Imagine how I felt when I heard the words of the consultant after the examination.
‘It’s not malignant.’
Even though the words were positive I still felt emotional hearing them.
So be more mindful of the words you use, not just with others but also with yourself. Of course we need to challenge and be critical when necessary, but allow space for kinder, more compassionate conversations too.
Words matter. Massively.
Until next time.
Paul
The SUMO Guy