The other morning, it was pouring rain when we were getting ready to leave, so I dug into my closet for my trusty black raincoat. As I touched it, I was immediately reminded of my friend in Maryland, whom I hadn't seen for over three years and her kind comment that she made to me when I wore this raincoat in Maryland. My raincoat is not anything special....not particularly fashionable...so this is not about the raincoat, but about the kind words of a friend and how they stuck.
As I was thinking about how powerful kind words are, my mind also went to the power of negative words, or careless words, and how they also stick. This led me to a comment made to me in the 6th grade (yes, that was a LONG time ago!). I have never been a thin person, even as a child I was considered "thick." I remember commenting to a friend in the 6th grade that I was running the mile between my farm and my grandparent's farm for exercise, and he commented, "And you still look like that?" I think that was the first time that I was aware that I felt "fat." Now I'm not sure if he meant this comment to be mean or if it was a careless comment from another child, but it was powerful enough to stick with me all these years. I have since come to appreciate my body type, realizing that I will not be a skinny chick, but a strong, healthy woman that needs to exercise and eat right to keep my healthy form.
The power of words.....I have become more aware of the power of my words, both positive and negative, to the people in my life. So the thought for the day......how are your words affecting those around you? Are they positive or negative? Do they build others up or tear others down? A great quote that my mother-in-law used often was: "Never pass up the opportunity to keep your mouth shut." I'm not sure if it was her quote or one that she got from someone else, but I do think about it when I find my thoughts and words running rampant.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
3 comments:
Great post Paula. I can still recall the first truly hurtful comment about my body that a thoughtless boy once made when I was in 6th grade as well. But since then I have become thankful for my body that has easily borne 4kids, healthy breasts that nursed them, legs that may not be the prettiest, but that get me where I'm going, etc.
Great reminder on the power of words.
Alison
so weel written and so true!
You are beautiful and loved!
And my children were watching you jog past our house this morning with that healthy, in-shape body!!!
Stephanie
Post a Comment