How much power does a word have? A word when it is written tends to carry less impact than the spoken word. Why? What is it about hearing it versus reading it that makes it more credible?
The obvious answer is we witnessed it for ourselves. We did not have to trust anyone else for what we heard. So is the issue trust? Yes, trust is part of the base here. I think this can be taken back to credibility or similarly called respect. The more respect we have towards a person. The more value or power we give their words over us. It is a normal thing that we are trained to do. We are trained that our elders, teachers, principals, clergy and many other people are automatically deserving of your respect, because of their position within our society. The redundant question of the day. Why?
Is it not possible for us or others to misjudge someone? Is it not possible for a person to mask a very negative and dark personality? Serial killers, rapists, molesters, thieves and more end up being discovered all the time in these positions of supposed respect. I'm not judging them for their faults. I am just merely pointing out that they are no less subject to mistakes than anyone else.
We constantly judge people, and we use those judgements to determine how much credibility we give them. Thus determining how much power we give their words. We then allow the words of others to affect how we think and feel about things. We allow their words to make us happy, sad or effect or emotions and reactions. Some would argue that it is manipulation. I argue you can only be manipulated when you allow it. It only happens when you give someone's word credibility or authority in your life. You are the only person that makes the choice as to how much things effect you.
Now we are trained, conditioned if you will, that certain events and things should make us feel a certain way. As an example, we are trained that when someone dies we should feel sad. I say why should we feel sad that they are now free to the adventures that lie ahead. Isn't being sad almost selfish in a way? (That's a freebie food for thought.) I am not saying that all the things we are taught are bad or wrong. I am just saying that maybe not everything is valid for everyone.
Just because some rule, belief or way of thinking works for me, does not inherently mean it will work for eveyone. As an example, when I have an upset stomach milks help settle it down. For the majority of people milk would had an adverse affect if they drank some when they have an upset stomach. So clearly something that works for me, does not work for all. This principle goes into all aspects of life.
Now I firmly believe there are some principles that do apply to all. Like being good to your fellow man. Trying to do positive things for your community and world. Try to accept everyone equally and without condition. (Remember we all make mistakes). And just be a good person in general.
From there I think things become more personalized, and that what the lifestyle that works for me does necessarily for anyone else. This is beaming a topic for another time.
As the final crest breaks, let's ride this wave on home. The idea here being a word has no power or meaning that you give it. When a word is written by itself, it holds an implied meaning. It does not, however, hold any emotion. It is just letters without intent or value. It just kind of exists, until a point in time when we give it some meaning. By this same rule, we have the ability to change limit a words ability to affect us regardless of the source. When words are uttered with intention to cause anger, hatred or negative feelings towards a person or group of people. Those words can only affect that way, when we allow them to.
When you allow those words to effect you that way, and to affect the way you think, feel or at towards others. You have given that person power over you and your life. Maybe the way to overcome hate is take back that power of people to have a negative impact on your life. I do believe in seeking the advise of others, and I do believe in allowing the ones I perceive as positive to have influence. The other I use as ways to help learn how others think and see the world. In order too be able to have more positive interactions with my fellow man.
Look at the people that have overcome diseases and disasters and defied the odds or were recipients of some miracles, they are all great examples of refusing to accept what someone else told them. Just because a doctor told them they would never walk again, they refused to accept it and triumphed. People with cancer and other medical issues that were mircaulously cured. By the power of belief and by the words the chose to give control over their lives. There is story after story of people overcoming all sorts of challenges in life. The recurring theme you find in just about everyone of their tales is their refusal to be limited by what others said they were capable of. Now I am not saying that just because I say I can flap my arms and fly means that is true, you still have to use common sense.
Take back control of your life! Only you can stop you from reaching your goals! Final thought, "When you teach someone to watchout for number one, you are teaching them to be lonely."
