I considered writing about the power of words for months. Ironically, the words weren't coming to me, so I waited. I trust things show up when they are supposed to, rather than force them to happen. About a week ago, I looked down and saw my bracelets, handmade by my friend Audrey. Her bracelets each contain a word or short phrase, many of which are custom for her clients. Mine say "vibing" and "loved" and I wear them almost every day.
Audrey gets words. She is a talented writer and recently she began her business "Light for the Sol" where she creates beautiful word bracelets. Who better to write a blog about the power of words? I asked her to help me with this one, and I hope you find her thoughts as inspiring as I do.
Certain conversations that we’ve had with others run through our minds all day, everyday! We revisit those specific words we’ve said to our children, friends, family and significant others over and over. Did I say the right things? Did I put down or lift up my children today? Words can quickly lift someone's spirits but words can also bring hurt. We’re all guilty of saying hurtful things, most likely not intentionally and most of us have been on the receiving end of hurtful words too. However, if we choose our words carefully, and commit specific words and word phrases to memory like “I am enough” or “Be Kind”, we can turn tough days into days of hope for not only ourselves but others. The daily trials we face can become blessings in disguise through the use of encouraging words.
I recently read a story about a high school boy who runs cross country. His Mom was his biggest fan. That can either be a good thing for a teenager or highly nerve-wracking. Most teenagers would be mortified by their Mom ringing a cowbell and yelling their names. This particular cross country Mom would yell for her son even when she couldn’t see him. When he was asked after the race if he could hear his Mom and if he was embarrassed, he smiled and said his Mom’s words of encouragement were the difference between him finishing the race and quitting. As his legs burned and the feeling of getting sick were coming to fruition he heard his Mom’s voice yelling, Go! You can do it! Her words were his motivation. Isn’t that what we all need? A cheerleader rooting for us through the ups and downs of life? This story is a beautiful representation of the power of words.
As we go through our daily lives of work, parenting, dishes and the seemingly never ending laundry let us be reminded of others. We live in a world where it’s easy to be caught up in our own problems and life events but there are so many out there who could use an encouraging word. Maybe that’s you today. If it is, just know that you are worthy of kindness. You are worthy of love. We all have a voice and instead of using it to cut someone down use it to spread loving and encouraging words to others. Your heart will thank you for it! It’s the only way to make this world a better place.
Check out the bracelets at www.lightforthesol.etsy.com