Powerful Words

We humans are the only species that uses actual words. Some domesticated animals understand a handful of words.

We’ve had a few smart dogs over the years, with big vocabularies. That is to say they knew words, but they never used them.

Koko the famous gorilla was unusual in her ability to use words. She was able to name objects or ask for a limited amount of things, even express emotions.

I think it’s fair to say that we humans are the only ones who think in words, the only ones to assess in words, to conclude and reason in words.

Language is very important to us. Communication. We humans love communication.

Yet, research has suggested that our words are only a percentage of how we communicate, both to ourselves and to others. We, like animals, consciously and unconsciously rely on non verbal, body ‘language’ (when not remote, this is another interesting topic) Its been proven that standing with our hands on our hips can actually communicate confidence to our own brain!

Yet words can pack a punch. Narrative is powerful. What we say to ourselves or each other can absolutely make or break a moment. Or a life.

Its hard to not think in cerebral wording, so I imagine its good to choose the ones we use, carefully. Are they kind? Are they nessesary? Research says not to speak to ourselves in absolutes. Can’t, won’t, never, always. Probably because these can never be true.

Meanwhile, I have this feeling that there is a bigger goal. Could it be less about eliminating certain words, and more about paying attention with our whole self. Sure, don’t eat poison, but, you know, fortify. Build. Love. With words, with intention, with the entirely of our beings. Maybe there is something to taking some time to FEEL how things feel.

Could it be that the quality of our life might depend on quantity treatment of ourselves. Could this affect everything and everyone else?

A frightened or angry or unhappy human uses different words and actions than a calm one.

This has been my thinking lately. After I read that book, after I broke my ankle. After a summer of big and little disappointments.

At the end of the day, it just makes good sense, to say kind things. To do kind things. To be kind.

Probably most importantly, to ourselves.

You know what they say about changing the world…

Starts with us.