What is in a word...

Words can be great gifts to someone or they can be great destroyers...

Just think for a moment, when you were younger your parents use to tell you, "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all"

As adults, we often don't think that rule still applies. Some people don't understand the power in the words they speak or write. You have a powerful tool and you shouldn't abuse or misuse it!

What can words do?
  * uplift
  * surprise
  * please
  * love
  * unite
  * divide
  * hurt
  * abuse
  * destroy
  * break

I mentioned briefly on my facebook of my younger sister being bullied on her facebook. When I was younger we never had bullying quite like that. Of course it's always been out there but I could not believe what this kid was saying to my sister, with no regard to her feelings or the fact that he was blasting this for all of the facebook world to see. What made him say such hurtful things? Does he understand what affect his words have on other people? Why did he choose to target my sister?

I'm not going to be able to understand this kid or why he chose those words, they were mean and hateful. I was proud of my sister for sticking up for herself the way she did... some of us are not so lucky to take that stance. Some think the only way to get rid of this kind of torment is to end their life...

So please... next time you think you might lash out at someone whether it's by e-mail, facebook, telephone or in person just think for a minute before you speak. Because who knows what your next set of words could lead to whether you talking to an employee, friend, someone you don't like or even a family member. Family, friends and loved ones can only take so much.

If you feel like putting someone down or have hateful words toward them, just stop and think first of what your actions may do to that person.

Instead, try something new... put your efforts into making someone happy. It may not be the person your words are intended to, but doing something nice for someone may help your attitude later on and think of what you may say to someone later.