The Power of Words

Sep 1, 2011
Christine Jarvis

Words - NSfotogyrl ...image used with permission

"But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." ~ Lord Byron

We writers like to think that we respect and understand the power of words. Why else do we struggle so to put just the right word in just the right place?

Words Can Kill

Do you know the children’s rhyme, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never kill me?”

Words can kill. Witness a firing squad where the command is given: “Ready...aim...fire!” And another is dead. If the command had never been spoken, would the man have fallen?

Words Can Lift Us Up

Words can also lift us up. It is the words that paint powerful images of hope that are most often quoted and remembered in desperate times. We need to write accordingly.

When the world reeled in horror at news of a bombing and shooting that in July 2011 killed 76 people in tiny Norway, Norway’s Prime Minister reacted promptly and from his heart.

In defiance of a murderous act of madness against innocent citizens, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg responded not by raising the country’s security alert to red, stepping up police presence in the streets, and warning fearful citizens to remain indoors, but instead, by stating firmly and calmly, “We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken...Evil can kill individuals, but it can never defeat a whole people.” Stoltenberg’s message to the Norwegian people is inspiring and guides their reaction to the tragedy: “Our response will be more openness, more democracy.”

Stoltenberg did not call for retaliation, but instead declared, “I am infinitely grateful to be living in a country where, at a critical time, people take to the streets with flowers and candles to protect democracy.”

And they did.

Words in Times of Trouble

Winston Churchill (Prime Minister in wartime England) addressed his nation and the world on June 4, 1940: “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end…We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on the beaches...landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills.. We shall never surrender…”

And England fought on.

Peaceful Words for Peaceful Times

Jack Layton (leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party) wrote a letter to Canadians just days before his August 2011 death from cancer. Jack’s letter concluded with the words: “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we’ll change the world.”

And we might.

My Final Words on the Matter

We may not need to write a speech that puts iron in the soul of a nation to move a whole people forward to victory. Sometimes it’s enough to touch just one heart, to reach out to the one standing near us, and quietly offer, “Don’t worry—I’ve got your back.”

Maybe, hearing your words, that one person will work through yet another small crisis of the day. Or step back from an abyss of despair you didn’t even know about before you spoke.

I lost my mother a year ago to Alzheimer’s disease. I promised her at the beginning, while she could still understand my words, that I would never abandon her to make the journey alone. My words—my words—“We will stay together every step of the way”—lighted our way on the darkest path I ever hope to walk in my lifetime.

After she died, cleaning out her things from the closet, I found a framed poem that my mother had bought (who knows when?) but not given to me while she lived. Instead, she left the poem for me to find after her death, when she knew I would most need something to move me forward into the next part of my life without her.

Susan Polis Shultz authored the words that my mother left for me. Just the right words at just the right time:

“… one thing that I have always done,

and will continue to do forever,

is to be very proud of you

and to appreciate, support and love you

and to be here for you

whenever you need me,

my beautiful daughter.”

Imagine the power of those words over the grief of loss! Whatever happens now or tomorrow, I can’t help but be okay. Mom’s got my back. Isn’t her promise there in so many words?

What Have You Got to Say for Yourself?

Now it’s your turn.

What are your last words? What words will you leave for your children? For your friend? For a neighbor child going through rough times? For your parents? What would you tell all the people in your life, if you took the time to say what is in your heart?

Carve them in stone or scribble your words in pencil on the back of an envelope, and send them off. However you do it, tell the ones who matter to you that they matter. Tell them why. Give them words to hold on to, words to live by, words that will help them carry on with or without you. What would you say if you could say what you feel?

If the ones you mean to speak to are already gone from your life, write them a letter anyway, and read it out loud to them. They’ll hear—and hold to—your words.

Words can kill, or words can lift us up and carry us forward.

I’ve had my say. It’s down to you now. Right now, write. Now.