Mightier than the Sword

One of the most powerful things in the world is words. We’ve heard that the pen is mightier than the sword and we’ve seen instances in history where it’s true. If your family is like mine, you’ve also seen the same in your home. One sibling is too lazy to say “excuse me” and pushes past another which instigates a scuffle and hurt feelings, but can often be solved with apologies and explanations.

The words we use with ourselves and with other people make a difference in those relationships. As a writer, I especially like words. With them, you can create something out of nothing, and with the right ones, you can make an impact. One word can have more concept than it does letters, and can have just as much influence. Like Melissa writes about choosing one word that has meaning for her and will shape her year in One Little Word.

We can use one word to express multiple ideas and inspirations. Shakespeare does it over and over again in his plays, using a play on words to tell jokes and a story at the same time. I am certainly not a master of words, but I do understand the power of using the right word. We’ve been learning words since we could walk and now have an arsenal at our disposal.

I think it’s important for us to be aware of what words we choose to use with people in our lives as well as ourselves. We all have one of the mightiest things in the world at our disposal, but how often do we think about using it well? We can use our words to inspire and uplift those who are around us and ourselves, do we?

For writers, the power of creating something out of nothing is a valuable skill, and choosing the right words is what makes it great. Practice choosing the right words in what you think and say, then you’ll be able to incorporate it into your writing as well.