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You Said...Sticks and Stones~~

You Said...Stick and Stones~~

All too often we hear the old saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me".  While there is some truth to that saying it only holds the weight of it's claim to the degree that one is able ignore what others may say.

Even then...the words have been uttered & heard and the sub-conscious knows it.

Written words also hold power over us; for the "pen is mightier than the sword" as the saying goes.  It stands true that the written word can elicit emotions, spur agreements, fuel disagreements, be misunderstood, and repair broken relationships.  The written word is quite powerful.

As I have been writing my Friday Reflections, I have been told that my writing "touches" many.  I often wonder if I stir up emotions that may have been deeply buried.  I wonder if I give the words to some that they may not have be able to find otherwise.  I wonder if I my words are ever misunderstood.

I hope my words find themselves comforting people and leaving them better than they were before they read them.

We must all be careful what we say and what we write.  We must teach our children to have patience when speaking, writing and communicating with others.  We must have them embrace the truth while tempering  their choice of words to express it.

Words are one of those abstract powers that is naturally mastered but very seldom tamed.

Mr. Casten
Jan. 7, 2011

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