All Words Matter…

Finding time to write, to communicate, and to reach you has been difficult for me, that is why I am out here so infrequently. It is not that I do not want to be here more often, it is that I need to learn balance, something that eludes me, or maybe I’m finding in other ways. You see, I must also pay bills, tend to my home, close projects started, and attempt to find joy in it all. Keeping my heart open has allowed me to find that, joy in doing what needs to be done, whether it be tending my garden, fixing my vehicle, working on my book, or conversing with customers at my job. When it is meant to be, however, there are moments that appear, that push me to come and talk to you. There are things I find so important, that I know I must not wait. Last night was one of them.

A simple sentence out of the mouth of someone who has the ability to reach millions. Probably overlooked by many. Yet reached and rang in my ears, three rooms away. They said “The only words that matter right now are the ones out of the mouth of our President”. I said “NO, NOT TRUE”. There are no limits to my disagreement with that statement. Even using the term I vehemently disagree does not seem enough. I disagree enough for sure to come and talk to you and get your opinions. Real change happens in our discussions with each other, that is why I try to have them with every stranger that crosses my path.

Do not get me wrong, I agree that the words coming out of our leader matter. I sometimes wish some were not spoken, but it is not my place to judge, they are human, as am I. They have their purpose, as do I. My disagreement with the statement above comes from ONLY their words mattering. I BELIEVE… all of our words matter, every single one of them, from every single one of us, and those words come with great responsibility and we should be well aware of their intent and delivery.

A large part of me wanted to point out to that person that words mattered to a nine year old, who lost confidence in her beauty because of them, words mattered to every child that felt bullied by another, that words mattered in the building of the hate and destruction in some enough for them to take the lives of many. Somehow I am sure that person already knows what I am talking about. They know that some of the words come from strangers, and from people that are loved and trusted. They come from every day people that are allowed to effect us, guide us, teach us, and yes lead us. They even come from people like them and me.

I also wanted to tell that person, that like many or most of us, I have learned that it is not necessarily the word or words being uttered, it is the intent of how they are used or how the heart is projecting and receiving them. I find it funny that the same two words, being said to me, can make me laugh, make me cry, and make me angry depending on what person, situation, and emotion is behind them. Sadly, we allow powers of different kinds to separate us, divide us, categorize us, and manipulate us into believing things that are not necessarily true, so that when words are spoken, persons, intent and emotion become completely convoluted.

What is the fix? How do we fix it? I am not sure I know. What I do know is that every single one of us, individually, and as groups, needs to know and understand that words do matter. They can cut like a knife or can build a mountain. May we all choose wisely. For me, in the chaos of life, I continue to try to walk in love, faith, and forgiveness. I continue to try to deliver my words in a manner I hope you think about, as I also desperately try to stay open to hear your words. I have repeated recently, and continue to hear the words, of a song whose lyrics were written by Siedah Garrett, and whose music was arranged by Glen Ballard; recorded by Michael Jackson “I’m starting with the man in the mirror… I’m asking him to change his ways… No message could have been any clearer… If you want to make the world a better place… Take a look at yourself, and then make a change…”.

I suppose my point… We are in this together, and maybe we should all consider our words, our actions, and our reactions, before looking to anyone else, no matter what kind of power we think anyone else has over us or ours over them. I ask you, what do you think? And as always, your thoughts, your words, your truths, are welcomed here in hopes that they are positive, constructive, and help us all heal.