I believe words to have great power. There are so many things they can tell. Have you watched the movie Braveheart? The part where Mel Gibson talks to his countrymen and inspires them to fight for their country, their land and their families even though they are literally fighting with their bare hands. It is his speech, his words, that fill the men with hope and encourage them to go into battle. Or even short catch phrases from inspiring people like Mahatma Gandhi- “Be the change in the world you want to see”. So deep, so moving, even life changing as the interpreter applies the words to their own real life. These words all have power. But really so do all words.
I think the first time I noticed that words had power was when my daughter entered kindergarten. At 5 years old she was a very happy, smiley, bubbly, eager to please little girl. As many kindergarten students, she went to school and was ecstatic at just being there. It was great! But it wasn’t long into her school year that I realized how different some of my views were and how that impacted her. It started with the word hate.
Hate is a strong word. And I have always felt that way about it and in turn I had shared that view with my daughter. One day she came home very upset and overwhelmed and it was all about the word hate. That particular day at school one child hated the colour pink, one child had hated something in their lunch, honestly I can’t remember the rest but what I do remember is the root cause was the word hate. This is a perfect example of how words can carry weight far beyond what we intend. For her, “hate” was a word of great significance, shaped by my guidance. When she encountered it used casually, it shook her perception of the world. Just one example in language that illustrates how our words—and the meanings we assign to them— and how they don’t just affect us but ripple outward, influencing others in ways we might not even realize. Therefore we need to be mindful of the words we choose. Words shape our reality, influencing how we see the world, how we interpret experiences, and even how we feel about ourselves and others.
Consider self-talk, for instance. This is an example I think is consistently overlooked. How often have we criticized ourselves, saying, “I’m so stupid” or “I can’t believe I did that”? We tell ourselves that no one is listening but that is untrue. Imagine replacing those phrases with kinder, more constructive ones like, “I made a mistake, but I’ll learn from it” or “I’m making progress, even if it’s slow.” How we could impact our perceptions of ourselves. The power shifts are profound. They don’t just change the narrative in our heads—they can transform our attitudes and outcomes in turn making us better people.
Subsequently, when I think of being better people it leads to one of the words I dislike the most-deserve. My nemesis. I really despise that word. The concept often implies a judgment or entitlement that is not always grounded in fairness or context. It’s a word that invites reflection on justice, privilege, and perspective. Listen to the conversations around you, you will hear it. You deserve the best! You don’t deserve to be treated this way. People throw deserve around like confetti at a wedding and it’s messy. Think about how people throw confetti. There is the careful and slow throw that doesn’t want to get it in anyone’s eyes. There’s the winger that winds up and tosses it at the body and oh the Dumb and Dumber throw, as the confetti is thrown like a weapon. This one makes me laugh. Now that you know what I am getting at, think about it. Instead of focusing on what people “deserve,” perhaps we should ask, “What can I do?” or “How can I help?” These reframed questions shift the focus from judgment to compassion and action.
Additionally, language also connects us to culture and identity. The stories we tell, the words we use, and the languages we speak are rich tapestries of history and meaning. One of the things I think helped me understand more about words and the intentions of them is when I was talking some Cree language lessons. It’s a language that demands precision, respect, and an understanding of the world through a different lens. When you have to spend the time to understand a language and truly what it means then you often reflect on your own words and language. This experience was humbling and enlightening, and offered insights into not just the language itself but also the worldview it encapsulates.
In conclusion, language is a gift, a tool, and a responsibility. Words can heal, inspire, and connect but can also harm, divide, and mislead. Whether we’re learning a new language, sharing stories, or simply choosing how to respond in the moment, the care we take with our words shapes the world around us because our words undoubtedly leave an impact. Let’s choose our words wisely!