Words

“Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.” -Jodi Picoult, Salem Falls


The subject of words is something that has been on my mind excessively over the past couple of days. Between happenings in my own personal life and those of the people I associate with, many things that I had never considered have been brought bubbling to the surface, resulting in much reflection and reassessment of several things.


If you really think about it, words shouldn't mean much. You could argue that the course of a lifetime shouldn't be pliable enough to be swayed by the way one chooses to enunciate and arrange a few choice syllables in one way or another. Biologically, all words really are is the passing of air through vocal cords determined by voluntary muscular control. Or so I think with all of my extensive medical training. All they are is air and waves. Nothing substantial or tangible. Nothing you can touch or hold on to or, without the help of technological means, repeat with exact precision.


And yet they really mean everything. 


Brief sentences change lives all the time. "I'm pregnant", "I love you", "Will you marry me", or "We found something abnormal in your test results" are sentences that completely alter lives on a daily basis, hopefully not all within the same conversation. 


Encouragement or even criticism, said with love, can build someone up and give them the strength to move on. An ill-timed or thoughtless word, even not intended to cause pain or offense, can destroy someone or leave scars that last a lifetime. 


This isn't the type of thing that I usually write. There's no profound statement, witty anecdote, or social commentary to be found here. Just a warning.


Be careful with your words. They can bring forth creation or complete and utter devastation. What you say in a moment can alter someone's life more than you could even imagine.


Make sure your words are worth it. Make them count.