The Power of Words

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Are your words brilliant and uplifting like gold and silver? Or are they tarnished, reflecting a negative outlook on life?

I attended an event last week where the theme was “Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver,” focusing on our words and how we use them.

Do you remember that little gold book Apples of Gold filled with inspirational sayings? That book sat on the coffee table in our living room all the years when I was growing up. I remember looking through it as a young girl, but I’m sure I didn’t fully appreciate its wisdom back then. Today, I love reading quotes, and hope someday to have my own words repeated by others!

Our event host Margo DeGange, Founder of Women of Splendor, opened the day talking about WORDS. Here’s what she had to say.

WORDS are:

Weight. They can either lighten the load or burden those who hear them. Consider carefully what impact you will make before you say something. Will they be uplifting? Will they cause someone to doubt themselves? Will they tear down confidence or encourage? Use your words wisely, and let them be supportive instead of destructive.

Opportunities. Your words shape the impressions people have of you. Your tone and presentation reflect your attitude and level of professionalism, and can cost you a valuable opportunity if improperly communicated. Words that are carefully spoken with a smile can open doors for you, so choose wisely!

Revealing. Your words show your wisdom, or lack thereof. Do you think before you speak? Or are you guilty of blurting things out too quickly? Your words reveal your heart, your motives and your thoughtfulness, and just a few of them can give a complete picture of who you really are.

Decisions. Your words either say “yes” or “no.” Once spoken, they cannot be retreived so make sure they reflect your true intent. Are you saying yes when you’d rather say no? Don’t make a decision based on feeling obligated or pressured. Think before you commit! When you are saying yes to one thing, you are automatically saying no to another.

Sure. Words are like cement–they are permanent! Facebook comments and tweets spread like wildfire. Once you hit “send” for an email, it is gone forever. Write your thoughts out and review them before copying them over to their permanent home. Send an email to yourself and read it through before sending it off to the intended recipient. Be slow to respond and choose your words carefully.

Commit yourself to using words that are loving, supportive, caring, encouraging and trustworthy. Avoid words that hurt by being destructive, harsh or gossipy. Don’t let your words tarnish your reputation! Keep them polished like gold, reflecting God’s love from the inside out.

Susan Tolles is a Certified Christian Life Purpose Coach. To read about her work, visit http://theflourishinglife.today/.