Recognizing The Power of Words

Yesterday was Inauguration Day as our 46th President of the United States was sworn into office. I was working at my day job as an Administrator at our church, and due to our ongoing pandemic restrictions it was like a lot of other days ... productive, but quiet without a lot of human contact or conversation. So as I worked on yearend reports and email communications to our members and visitors I streamed the inauguration on another tab. Pandora music (my usual office companion) would have to wait for another day. Whether you voted for or against our 46th President isn't my concern. Good or bad (depending on your opinion), yesterday was about watching another chapter in the making of our history books. Generations from now people will read about our behavior, our passions, our goals, our accomplishments, and our regrets.

If nothing else 2020 has been a subtle reminder for us all that our actions directly affect each of us and other people. Our motives and follow throughs can make or break long-standing friendships. As a full time church administrator, but more importantly a part time writer I cherish the value of words. I always have. As a sometimes introvert, writing and journaling can become your best friend. It reminds you that you still have a voice and provides you with a platform or release.

Livestreaming the Inauguration I listened to Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks as they shared their voices musically. I listened to various speeches and introductions. I listened to promises being made. And I listened to Amanda Gorman, the youngest known inaugural poet. She was poised and delivered a heartfelt message. Of course there will be those who didn't really listen to her words and will spout words of political parties and ulterior motives. I however recognize the power of words. I watched an interview with her later in the day and found her actions and her words during the interview to be even more powerful as she reflected on her poem, the process of writing it, and her presentation. I thought she did a wonderful job and I found her to be inspirational.

Those that appreciate music hear chords and harmonies that I can never grasp; it's their language. Those that like to read appreciate well written books and find them intriguing and fulfilling. For those like me who appreciate the strength of words I remember daily that words and how and when they are used can impact how you feel and how you make someone else feel. Words can lift a person up and give them needed hope or they can instantly belittle and pull someone down into murky waters of loneliness and depression.

We don't need an Inauguration every four years to remind us of the power of words. We only need to wake up each morning and look in the mirror. Think in your head first and listen to your words carefully before you make the decision to verbally share them.

Because I value good words I will leave you with this quote:

Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions. Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits. Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values. Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Famous Last Words

The opening statement and the conclusion are the 2 most important parts of a speech. If you don’t grasp the audience’s attention with the first few lines, more times than not you’ve lost them. If you can hook them, reel them in, and leave them with a lasting nugget of wisdom then you’ve succeeded. Will we remember an entire speech? Maybe yes maybe no, but if you’ve got some good solid lines in there – I can almost guarantee you that those will be remembered.

How many of you can recite back the lines of your favorite books or movies? There are memorable lines from Shakespeare plays, Godfather movies, musicals, song lyrics, poems, and speeches. There are famous quotes that stick with me, as well as the non-famous (like the things my parents or grandparents said when I was growing up).

On any given day you can watch a reality TV show and still walk away with a line that will stay in your head to the point that you’ll say it in sync with whoever is saying it. (Please don’t judge at the number of reality shows I like to check in on.) You might smirk when the Bachelor is on because you KNOW the host, Chris Harrison will walk out to remind you ‘…Ladies, it’s the final rose … when you’re ready.’ Or Jeff Probst on Survivor will say, ‘I’ll go tally the votes.’ One of my favorites is when the host of the cooking show Chopped lifts the lid on the losing plate and says, ‘Let’s see whose plate is on the chopping block.’

Think of your words carefully (whether spoken or written) and always share your wisdom and laughter with others. You could unknowingly inspire, motivate, lift a spirit, or remind someone they’re not alone all with a well chosen word.

Today I’ll leave you with something I heard this week while watching this season’s premiere of Dancing with the Stars. One of the show’s judges, Bruno Toniolo, said, ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression.’ How good is that?

What are some of your favorites?