I know I've already blogged about this but as I've been looking on Twitter and Tumblr and stuff I came across two quotes that really hit me. Its one of those quotes that no one really knows where they came from but its just something that people say so I've ran into them a lot. I lost the original pictures they were on but I made my own to share with you.
See, no one ever thinks about the things they say. No one takes a moment to consider the consequences of their words. If you knew that when you jokingly called that girl fat that she would starve herself for the next 3 days, would you still have said it? What about when you mocked that boy who then went home and cut up his wrist. Sure they might have been laughing when you said it so you thought it was ok. People need to realize that hurting people often times put on a mask. Words often times hurt more than a slap in the face. When you say something about someone, in a joking manner or not, they remember. A lot of people believe whatever is said about them. So when everyone's joking about them being fat, how will they seem themselves?
That being said, words can also bring healing. What if we applied this same principle but in reverse. What if we spoke words that brought life instead of death? What if we called someone beautiful instead of ugly? A few months ago a friend of mine asked me what she should do about a friend who was feeling insecure. I told her to simply tell her she's beautiful. "I do." She responded. "But she never believes me." I had a brief moment of wisdom and said "There was a time when she didn't believe she was ugly. But she was told that enough to make her believe it." It is said that it takes 7 truths to undo 1 lie. That means we've got a lot of work to do. Of course, others' self esteem isn't up to us and we aren't responsible for how they feel or react to things but if there's something we could be doing to change someones life, shouldn't we do it?
I know that I remember all the little things people do for me and when I'm having a bad day I think about those things and they never fail to make me smile. How amazing would you feel if something you said made someone smile on sad days? Everyone has the potential to change a life, but very little people step up to actually live up to that potential. I'm going to geek out for a second and throw in one of my favorite quotes from the Hobbit. "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." (-Gandalf.) There is so much truth in that. You don't need to do huge things to change someones life. All it takes is a bit of effort, some creativity, and love. You don't have to reach 1,000 people on the first try. You can change the world one person at a time. You may feel like you've hit a wall, so break that wall and find your purpose. But never forget the power your words hold.
-Faith
That being said, words can also bring healing. What if we applied this same principle but in reverse. What if we spoke words that brought life instead of death? What if we called someone beautiful instead of ugly? A few months ago a friend of mine asked me what she should do about a friend who was feeling insecure. I told her to simply tell her she's beautiful. "I do." She responded. "But she never believes me." I had a brief moment of wisdom and said "There was a time when she didn't believe she was ugly. But she was told that enough to make her believe it." It is said that it takes 7 truths to undo 1 lie. That means we've got a lot of work to do. Of course, others' self esteem isn't up to us and we aren't responsible for how they feel or react to things but if there's something we could be doing to change someones life, shouldn't we do it?
I know that I remember all the little things people do for me and when I'm having a bad day I think about those things and they never fail to make me smile. How amazing would you feel if something you said made someone smile on sad days? Everyone has the potential to change a life, but very little people step up to actually live up to that potential. I'm going to geek out for a second and throw in one of my favorite quotes from the Hobbit. "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." (-Gandalf.) There is so much truth in that. You don't need to do huge things to change someones life. All it takes is a bit of effort, some creativity, and love. You don't have to reach 1,000 people on the first try. You can change the world one person at a time. You may feel like you've hit a wall, so break that wall and find your purpose. But never forget the power your words hold.
-Faith