Sunday Inspiration: Words Have Power
“Your words have power and energy — causing a ripple effect in your body and the world around you. Speak with kindness and generosity.” -GratitudeHabitat.com
I’ve learned as an author how important words are in our lives. Not only in books, but in everything we say and write there is a power and energy that can nourish, sustain and enlighten. And there are other words that can harm, diminish and belittle.
As much as I’ve crafted words through my career, I find that sometimes they simply spill out of my mouth unattached to any thought or intention, clearly unleashed from some unknown resentment or superficial frustration. And they can hurt. Those things we wish we hadn’t said may stay with us forever.
I remember a commercial a few years back — like most commercials I can’t remember what it was advertising — about a person who did something nice for a stranger, and that person did something nice for someone else and on and on. They paid it forward. Like compassionate acts, kind words do cause a subtle ripple effect that moves through us and through others, opening hearts and healing pain.
Let’s all share some words of kindness and generosity today and then be aware of the effect they have.
I’d love to hear your stories.
We always left very early in the morning when leaving WNY for Florida. Once about 3-4 hours into our trip, I was getting coffee while my husband gassed up the car. I was tired that morning and it must have shown. When I went to pay, the attendant told me that the lady who was getting coffee at the same time had paid for mine. I have never forgotten that.
Those kind of moments are priceless. I still remember in the first months of my husband’s first ministry coming home and finding a bouquet of asters on our front steps. I’ve loved asters ever since–and the people who left them.