Sticks and stone may break my bones…but words will never hurt me. Oh to be a child again…ignorance is bliss!
Maya Angelou in her infinite wisdom corrected that silly slogan:
“Words are things, I’m convinced. You must be careful about the words you use, or the words you allow to be used in your house. In the Old Testament we’re told in Genesis that, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was God, and the word was with God.” That’s in Genesis. Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.”
As a kid, I was too geek-ed out on math and science to appreciate words…languages. As a woman, they enamor me; I can’t get enough. A certain combination can propel you to cloud nine while another can rattle your whole body to the point you figuratively turn inside out. More than ever I realize the importance of what I write…what I say…and that it can never be undone. Feelings and tangible outcomes are at stake…I must choose wisely…
Think about it…I’m anxious to hear what you choose.
Own and On 