The Power of Words

Most people know that there are certain words and phrases that are powerful when it comes to the human condition. The truth is simple words have power. Not just words, but also the words you don't say.

There obvious words of power: I love you, I hate you, Let's be friends,.. Then there are the words and phrases that people know but rarely think about how really important that they are until they hear them spoken directly to them. Phrases like, 'I'm pregnant' and 'I'm married' are life changing and entail far more than the simplicity of the words.

Everyone knows that having a child is significant. People often focus on the fact that there will be a baby but I dunno that people contemplate the long term aspects of a child.  I know that when I was pregnant with my man-child I was so focused on the fact that I was pregnant that I hadn't really contemplated the idea that I would be 100% responsible for each and every thing that he did, said, etc. for many years. I remember when they handed me the hospital release papers to take the man-child home I was completely freaked out. Before that moment I was comfy and safe in the bubble of the hospital where we had been for the last 5 days. I was spoiled and anytime there was something that happened with my lil' hunk I asked a nurse. I asked a lot of questions...(Dear nurses, you are amazing people..) and I had someone to help me no matter what. When it was time to go home, the words of power were, "Congratulations!" and  "Good Luck!"

Words are so powerful that sometimes it's not just words used but also the tone that can effect the situation. One prime example of tone, " She was my best friend." Depending on which word is stressed  makes a huge difference.
"SHE was my best friend" accusatory and hateful in nature.
"She was my BEST FRIEND!" when two girls who were formally close but are no longer and often the other girl has betrayed the original trust.
" She was my best friend.."(said quietly) She has passed and the hole in your heart is vast and awful.
"SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND!" she has been apart of a relationship that involved someone I love cheating with her.
"she was my best friend...." this one is the one when you formally where BFF  but have lost touch, grown apart, and don't share the closeness that they used to.
One phrase said 5 separate ways each one meaning  something completely different; all of them equally emotional and powerful.

I love you. Three words. The phrase we as humans hope to hear from someone who genuinely care about. If we think about when they really mean they grow to much larger. Love the idea that you care about someone more than others, the fact that you honor them above others, they are important...etc. I know I have said them when I shouldn't. I was trying to please people. I know I have held them in when I shouldn't have because I knew the other person wasn't ready to hear them. I have come to terms with the idea that if you mean them, say them regardless because everyone deserves to know they are loved.

Take nearly any word or phrase and add the three letter word, 'BUT' and all bets are off. Once one add a but to a statement anything said before the but should be ignored as it was only there to sugar coat. Example, " I love you BUT I wanna see other people." " I'm pregnant, BUT it isn't yours." "That's a nice dress BUT is it supposed to look like that?" Yes, BUT....watch out for the BUT statement. It's a nice way to say something, but it often puts the truth second. Say the truth.

One of my favorite word sets of power that people don't really contemplate is, "Will you marry me?" People are often too busy thinking about the jewelry, the dress, the fancy party. When someone is asking you this phrase they are asking approximately 1,000 other questions... A few of the questions that are being asked are : Will you share my last name, will you bear my children, will you hold my hand when I'm sick or scared, will you love me when I'm old, will you love me through fatness or skinny, will you support me if I lose my job, will you cook my meals, will you share my home, bed, and address with me, will you put up with my family, my mother, my siblings, and hold me when my gramma is sick, will you love me when I am not loveable, will you tell me I'm the best thing that happened in your life even when I am getting on your nerves, will you love and cherish me, will you say my name differently than everyone else, will you trust me, will you take care of me and our household, will you be last kiss, will you always be there for me, will you chose me day in and day out, will you be my helpmate, my soul mate, my cheerleader, my partner, my safe place, and the one person who I can turn to when I need someone.... There are many many more these are just the first ones that come to my mind.

Words that we don't say can be important. If someone says I love you etc and you don't say them back the silence left in-between is also powerful. When I approach a tall bossy man in my life and whine and act like a big baby and he tells me to, "Suck it up, Buttercup" without judging me, without pointing out the fact that I'm being annoying, without being mean, and without yelling. I know he has my best interest at heart.

All the things we say, when we say them, who we say them to,  the tone in which we say them, when we let silence speak louder than the words themselves....
Words have power.