Why Do Words Matter?

Words matter.

What that means is that what you write or say can have an impact, positive or negative. Do you build or destroy with your words? Inspire or terrorize? Spew love or hate? Give or take?

Words matter People often forget just how important the words we use are. Sometimes we fear the power of certain words and phrases, but neglect that there are always options.

There are more than 200,000 words in the English dictionary, when you include the obsolete words some people won’t let die. New words and slang words and words in other languages and such also exist, so the choices are nearly endless. There are words for pretty much everything, at least on the surface.

I know that there are feelings that are difficult to put words to. There are plenty of words that have multiple meanings as well, so that just adds another layer of complexity. That is why words are so very important.

The thing is, we sometimes pay little heed to the words we are using. We often throw away a word here or there, and while we may attach nothing to it, because of the complexities of language we shift an intent or emotion or even a whole situation to something other than what we thought. That is why words matter, and we should choose with more care than we frequently use.

Why? Because when there is a big, overwhelming negative situation, adding on to it with our own negativity makes it grow. Something vast and overwhelming only gets more vast and overwhelming the more we give it focus, attention, and support.

Choose your words wisely.

Sometimes people choose the words that they do because they want to obscure, misdirect, and even soften the impact of a given situation. The words expressed still matter, and when people choose what they say or write, with forethought, they are making a statement. Replacing one word for another to soften impact by choice matters.

Words In the face of a recent, negative, ugly situation, I am seeing words used to build positivity. People are choosing to show their support and offer love, tolerance, and inclusion with their words. Choices are being made to express good, and to stand together in the face of something unpleasant.

As a writer, I choose my words with care. I recognize the power in the words I use, and because words matter as much as they do, I strive to use them in the best possible ways.

Words matter. Consider the power of what you put out there and what words you use to express your thoughts, feelings and actions.

Finding positivity is not hard, but it does require action.

Knowing that words matter as they do, we can choose more consciously what words we use to express ourselves. When we employ our words more thoughtfully, we gain control over how we want to think, feel and act, and of course as such we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

This is the two-hundred and eighth entry of my Positivity series. It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone. Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.