I am a poet and writer, so obviously, it’s easy to see why words matter to me. A lot. But I am many other things too, wife, mother, daughter, friend, community member, and so on. And I now so well, how things can go wrong very, very, quickly if something nasty is said, and or if words are misinterperated, or twisted to give another meaning.
Families can turn toxic, relationships end, friendships fall to bits. When we begin to look at some of the things we’re told, and think on some of what we may have said, can we honestly say we have been careful with our words? I try to, but I can’t say ‘trying’ is always enough, sometimes things still go wrong.
And being careful with words can consist of: telling only the truth, being kind, not using our words maliciously, and really, those three things are probably good for covering many things.
Telling someone they look fat, in their brand new outfit may be true, but it isn’t kind. Telling all of your friendship group that your other friend looks like a fat pig in her new dress that she loves, well that would be using your words maliciously, and being unkind too, whether or not it is true.
Truth of a thing is not the only consideration, when using words, and where other people are concerned, kindness must be considered too, if those others may be hurt by the words. This isn’t as important if those other people aren’t known to you personally, but if they are, take care still. Hurt people can lash out, and who could blame them for that?
Spreading the truth with well thought through words, that is they way to go, as long as you are spreading kindness with the truth!
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 