The Little Things — Your Words Go a Long Way
In a world full of opinions, at any given moment, yours will change someone’s life.
We have all been affected by someone’s words at one point or another.
The words may not have even been directed at us. They may have been directed at a large audience of which we were merely one individual in a sea of others, and yet, something someone said reached out and struck us right on the forehead.
I remember a handful of those forehead-striking moments as clearly as the first time I broke my nose. They altered the course of my life.
If someone’s words have changed you, then your words will most definitely change someone else before you leave this earth.
When it Goes Tragically Right
My earliest exposure to the power of words came through anger and with hate in my heart.
As a teenager, some of my most thrilling moments were when my words tore someone apart with no hope of recovery.
I found momentary satisfaction in “winning” an argument by articulating the most devastating thoughts I could create; often a mix of context, character abnormalities of the other person, and flowery language I picked up from reading books. It was important each attack was rooted in truth in order to cause the most pain.
Never mind the aching feeling in my chest that came after each “victory” as I began to realize what a disgustingly petty thing it was to tear someone apart.
Thankfully, this period of putrid inhumanity did not last forever.
Passive Pain
The disconcerting fact of the matter is that we can inflict equal if not greater pain on someone without even intending to do so; a passing comment, a lazy observation, an errant opinion.
Perhaps this is a reason why the wise do not speak while the fools do.
The upside is that there are two sides to this coin. On one hand we can unintentionally inflict pain, on the other hand, we can, without even knowing, greatly encourage and uplift someone.
When it Goes Beautifully Right
“To be happy and successful.” I closed my lips and a sly smile spread across my face as I allowed myself to feel wise in my reply to the age-old question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
He turned his attention away from me while shaking his head in disappointment. His reply,
“You don’t have to grow up to be those, Jeremiah.”
Those words left me speechless as I watched him walk away.
While there was certainly pain mixed into this situation, I had spent months trying to get in front of this person and win their respect only to throw it away in a moment of foolish “wit,” I remember the situation with great appreciation for the life lesson I will never forget.
I am sure this man does not remember that small moment, that small comment. But I will carry it with me as clearly as the memory of the sensation of breaking my first bone.
Unknowingly Planting Seeds
Many of us go about life planting seeds that we will never see grow.
Our words: A passing comment to praise someone’s creation.
The impact: The originator of said work grasping onto those positive comments and more confidently approaching their art for years to come.
Our words: A few heartfelt sentences from a stage to an audience that seems only to care about the food to be served after you finish speaking.
The impact: One quiet individual in the back finding themselves to be touched by your words, holding them in their mind and making changes in their life as a product of what you unknowingly gave them.
Our words: A brief email expressing your gratitude to someone and sharing how much they have supported your journey.
The impact: Incalculably valuable encouragement for someone who, unbeknownst to you, did not think they had the capacity to so deeply affect someone’s life and now goes forward more freely giving their support and advice to others who will come after you.
There is something beautifully liberating to the fact that we will never know the full extent of the impact of our words.
It can imbue us with a sense of courage and humility as we reflect on the world around us knowing that we may be planting seeds to blossom and benefit a quiet listener.
Try not to forget that someone may be listening. You could impact their life in a few breaths and a sentence or two.
Make it count.