The Weight of Your Word.
Greetings Ladies and Gents,
I hope that this post finds you well and that you are in an overall good space! As I'm writing this, it is actually Memorial Day weekend and the sun is providing plenty of heat to go right along with it. I may have to hit a pool up at some point, but for now we're going to get back to the topics. It has been said on multiple occasions by various people just how much power comes with what we choose to say. But I feel like it's such a valuable lesson that I'm also going to take this opportunity to reiterate that point.
When we take the time to think about just how many words we express on a daily or even weekly basis, it can be difficult to believe that they carry much, if any, weight at all. The countless conversations we hold with our family, friends, co-workers or people we are dating seem so routine that it can become easy to see them as nothing major. However, what we fail to realize is that the statements we're making in these discussions can have long-lasting effects, whether it was intentional or not. We may not see the immediate impact of our words, but that does not mean that they haven't already done their damage.
For instance, say that you're having a fashion/style conversation with a group of your friends. One of them says to you "You wear that brand? I've never liked any of their stuff, to be honest." Now you could choose to just say yes, chuckle this off, and keep things moving. But let's say you ended up taking offense to the statement and follow up with "That's because you have zero style. You've never put a decent outfit together, so don't worry about what I have on." You and your other friends may simply laugh this follow-up off and consider it just innocent clowning with each other. Little do you know, what you said really cut your friend deeper than expected, and they become insecure about what they're wearing around you after that moment. In fact, it gets to the point where they basically try to avoid you at all cost, to save their own feelings. Of course this wasn't your intended result, but words are heavy, and this must be considered before they're utilized.
In a more positive example, what if you've been going to the gym with a sibling for a couple of months now. They express to you "I just don't feel like I've been making much progress with these workouts. I'm not seeing the results that I want." In this moment, you have the prime opportunity to either make or break their spirit, depending on what is chosen to say. You respond with "No way, I've been noticing the changes with you for a few weeks now. Your arms are much more toned and so are your shoulders and abs. You look great, keep it up!" That may have felt like basic words while saying them, but they ended up affecting your sibling to the point where their confidence went out the roof. Little did you know how much they've looked up to you for years, and that one piece of encouragement was enough to place a positive aura around them, not just in the exercise world but in each aspect of their life.
We can learn to realize just how powerful our words can be just by thinking about how the words of others can sometimes have a hold on us. When taking that into consideration, it makes you want to be less reckless in what is said and how you say it. Keep in mind that we can mean well in everything expressed, but also must understand that everyone doesn't take things in the same exact manner. We are individuals for a reason and must give the proper respect in navigating various personalities. Remember that what you say to someone, whether they be a loved one or a stranger, can potentially change the trajectory of their lives for better or worse. Don't be the reason someone isn't out here being their greatest self.
