Sticks and Stone

We’ve all heard that saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” It was the saying that your parents taught you when you were being picked on at school. This saying helped to build up our self-esteem so that we could stick up for ourselves when being bullied. As I’ve grown up I realized that this saying isn’t true, at least not anymore. While it is true that sticks and stones can break our bones, words can often times hurt us even more. We don’t realize just how powerful words are. In fact, I think that words are more powerful than many weapons ever created. They have the power to build up someone’s self-esteem, or to tear someone down completely. Working in customer service I’ve experienced firsthand just how powerful words are. Every day I have people call me and tell me what a horrible person I am. As they’re yelling at me, their words hurt more than I can say, even though I know their anger is not directed at me, just the company I work for. I never knew people could be so mad over a magazine subscription! Seriously, if they get this mad over something so trivial, how do they handle the real trails of life? It’s easy to be nice when you are having a good day, or when your life is going great. When you feel good about yourself all you want to do is make others feel good. The real challenge is making someone feel good when you are having a bad day, or when your life isn’t on the right track. When you’re in a bad mood it’s hard to think before you speak. But may I suggest you stop and ask yourself, if you wouldn’t throw a stick or stone to hurt someone why would you throw hurtful words? Today I want to leave you with this challenge, give someone a compliment, whether it be a friend, a family member, or a complete stranger. I guarantee you, it will brighten their whole day. ~Taylor