The power of words

One can often hear people are defined by the words they utter, that is, that a man is what he speaks aloud. Still, even though this can be applied to our everyday lives, it’s like only in this time of year do we particularly become aware of the power one sole word can have…
It is a time of the Advent, preparation for the Christmas joy, family holiday, togetherness and sharing. Everywhere around us Christmas spirit is spreading eager to transfer the messages of love, and awaken the desire in us to present before others only the best part of ourselves, a desire to make good deeds, to share with others a smile or a warm word.
Encouraged by all that, we start to reflect upon our behaviour, our actions and our words, the relationship we have with others. We question the way we treat other people. It is a fact that something such as word, so common and trivial, is easily taken for granted. It is enough to remember how much words do we say in a day, but do we stop for a moment thinking what we actually wanted to convey, what is our message to other people and how did others understand what I previously had said? Do we use words to give other joy or sadness? As we all know, what once was spoken, can never be taken back, and because of that we need to be careful about our choice of words or we can, although unintentionally, find ourselves in a one-way relationship what once was reciprocal. Probably we have all felt how hurtful somebody’s words can be, but also how soothing can be a word kindly uttered at the right time. Somebody’s warm words of support, especially when coming from our dearest ones, can inspire us and perhaps encourage to make serious life changes. Like warmth, they spread all around imbuing us as much as we let them to.

Sometimes we forget that the very words we use speak more than the content of those words. Their choice reveals some of our deepest hidden corners of our character for which we believe we cover so well, but then again speak volumes about ourselves… Is there a better moment than now? Regardless of the time of the year, keep in mind this saying:
“Watch your thoughts – for they become words.
Watch your words – for they become acts.
Watch your acts – for they become habits.
Watch your habits – for they become your character.
Watch your character – for it becomes your destiny.”

M. Konstantinović