” Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. “
-Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
I have always been fascinated by how we communicate, more specifically the power of words. Words shape who you are, how you impact those around you, and how you interpret the world.
“Words give you a tool to create how you perceive the world by naming and labeling what you experience.”
(Beebe, Beebe, & Raymond, 2014)
Just think, if we didn’t have words how would we create cities, inventions, relationships, etc. Deaf or mute people communicate through sign language or writing, other forms of words. Words are not just how we, as well-abled people perceive them. Words are not just black lines on a page, they come in all forms. Whether those forms be black lines, braille, voiced, signed, it all has to do with communication and the relationships we build.
For myself, words are the greatest thing in existence. Words have the power to build relationships or demolish them. They can leave beauty and creation or destruction and terror in their wake. Words evoke feelings within you that you never felt before, those of love, horror, peace, stress. That is why I decided to become a writer. As a writer I can take part in shaping multiple people’s selves. Even if they don’t read all the way through one of my published works there may be a word or two that stays with them, something they will contemplate for a long time. I can cause these changes by not only publishing written work but by becoming a figure that others look up to and alter their outlooks through spoken word.
Everything that I have heard or read has played a hand in shaping me, whether it be for better or worse. Everyone we encounter, all the shows or movies you watch, the books or articles you read, all these things play a vital role in our lives. Our perceptions are shaped and our personalities developed. Soldiers are inspired to take up arms, whether to defend or conquer. Enemies are created or united by words, sweethearts are torn apart or forever infused in each others hearts, anything is possible and all things are probable. – With love, Lillian
