The Power of Words
Spirit Garden Reflections
The Power of Words
I know nothing in the world that has as much power
as the word.
-Emily Dickinson, Poet
Welcome to the Spirit Garden Reflection
on The Power of Words!
At the beginning of the New Year, it is common for many of us to choose a word to focus on for the year like Gentleness, Strength, or Courage. This word is something that we invite to guide and teach us as the year unfolds. Day by day, our chosen word can open itself to us and reveal layers of meaning and nuances that change and form us throughout the year. The beginning of a New Year is a time when we often select our words with care. We use our words to help us hold our intentions and envision our goals. In this way, we use words to help us create the year ahead.
So, as we embark upon a New Year, we begin with a reflection on the power our words have to create and nourish the life within and around us. We have a great deal of guidance from our world’s wisdom traditions about how to use our words in a generative and life-giving way. Our words can lift up and encourage, and our words can tear down and destroy. The words we use to speak to others, and to ourselves, are a powerful instrument that we can spend a lifetime learning to handle with care. For the words that we speak do not leave our lips and come back empty. Our words can create, empower and enliven when we use them well.
The words you speak become the house you live in.
-Hafiz
The Power of Words
The audio file below offers a short reflection on the creative power that our words hold. The audio is followed by a handout with some questions that are intended to help you journal your own thoughts and experiences with the power of words. Please print these out before you listen to the audio file.
You are invited to pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and take about 20 minutes to listen to the reflection and then answer the questions. May this be a nourishing and replenishing time of some soul tending.
Reflection Questions
Please click on the button below to download the reflection questions to go along with the Power of Words.
May the words you speak be a tree of life for you and others.
May you speak for what you want, for your words do not come back empty.
-Kathy Roy
Additional Resources
The word, encouragment, contains the word courage within it. When we use our words to encourage others, we are helping them take heart and develop the courage they need to face whatever is challenging them. The following Blog Post, Encouraging Words, is all about the power our words have to ignite courage, and offer support and inspiration.
Once again, you may like to set aside 10 minutes for a quiet pause in your day as you read this post and work with the reflection questions. Enjoy!
In Closing
As we work on choosing our words with care so that they might be a tree of life that encourages and inspires well-being in ourselves and others, this quote offers sage guidance. Please note: I could not find the exact source for this quote, some reference Rumi, some simply call it a Sufi Saying.
“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?“
Sometimes, the words may be true, necessary and kind, but we are not the one that needs to say them. So this final gate, is one that a wise woman shared with me and it is:
“Is it for me to say?”
As a closing gift, below is a printable poster of these Gateways. In the days ahead, may we each use the power of our words to encourage, strengthen, build and create the world we want to live in.
Connect & Share
Please share any comments about this Reflection in the comments below. Make sure to check out what others are posting and encourage each other!
You definitely are a wonderful speaker with a beautiful message Kathy!