Day 63 / 100 Days to More ~

We all know that words have the potential to hurt us not physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Words have the ability to lighten our mood, make us smile or burst into tears, or even cause resentment and bitterness to seep into our hearts. Words can poison, words can heal. Words start and fight wars, but words make peace. Words lead men to the pinnacles of good and words can plunge men to the depths of evil. Words are a big deal. They are containers for power, and we have to decide what kind of power we want our words to carry.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me,” could not be further from the truth. Each one of us has at one time or the other been on the receiving end of hurtful words. Make no mistake about it – painful words not only hurt, they change us forever. While broken bones can heal in time, words filled with rage, bullying, belittling and scoffing never heal. Hurtful words are life altering and damage the human spirit. Don’t let anyone’s negativity stop you from being happy.

You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him. Don’t gossip about others or share other’s business. Don’t lower your standards to fit in, but strive to be the person people look up to and can only say something nice about you.  What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say. So speak to me with your actions, not your words. Speak to me with your doings, not your mouth. Speak to me with your hands, not your voice. For your actions drown out what you say to the point that that’s all I hear. To live by what you believe, and to become someone you like, it’s easier when you can borrow from others. Whether you realize it or not, your personality and actions are shaped in part by your surroundings. So if someone is going to “rub off on you”, make sure it’s someone you like, respect and can learn from.

Action: If what you said was written on your skin, would you be attractive to others?