Words strung together into phrases can have such power. They can swirl in a person's head for years if they sting deep enough or they can provide a lingering reminder of love or strength.
I still hold in my mind a phrase repeated over and over in sex education, of all places, spoken by a nun, of all people to be taking the course from. She challenged us to strive to be the best people we were created to become. Time after time those words have encouraged me to find my own talents and to work harder, while those words offered me the opportunity to realize I didn't have to succeed at everything.
While visiting the high school in Maidstone last week I read the backs of t-shirts worn by an anti-bullying group. I was impressed by the words and thought if those shirts continue to be worn, the students passing them in the hallways and sitting behind them in class will keep benefitting from the words. I know the SADD shirts the students have been wearing for the last year or so have inspired not only the students, but other members of the community when they have read the back.
I want to hear what people are saying, even when they quote others. I strain my eyes to see bumper stickers and read Facebook status updates. I won't wear clothes with words to promote a brand, just those with words that inspire me or promote a band or event I strongly support.
I want to respect the power of words and choose them carefully. There are times in my life I use mantras, repeating phrases in my head to calm my thoughts and allow me to sleep and times I whisper to the universe hoping my words will join those of others and the world will be a better place.
This week my phrase is for peace in Libya and hope in Japan. I'd like to reach out to those countries and bring back some suffering souls and feed them and house them until they could return to their countries or rebuild their lives. I don't know how to do that, so I whisper words.
It seems an election may be looming and the words will come fast and furious, some promises, some attacks. I want to see the words chosen carefully, maturely and with dignity showing the best the politicians can be, worthy of my trust and perhaps even my vote.
