Words are powerful

I posted a photo on Instagram and also shared it on Facebook that has prompted several friends to write me.  I think I may be more flattered, however, at the idea that I've inspired someone to help leave their children a legacy moreso than thinking that I deserve any kind of accolades for my idea.  My idea is nothing new.  



It all stemmed from back-to-school sales that started popping up last summer.  You see, I always love to walk down the aisles when school supplies start appearing on the shelves.  I love the colors.  I love new the smell of a new box of Crayolas.  I love crisp, white paper.  I love the rows of sharpened No. 2 pencils.  But one thing I've always had a soft spot for is journals.  I ***love*** journals.  I always have.  As the years go by it seems they get fancier and fancier.  It was then that an idea just hit me.  So, I purchased three similar journals (one for each kiddo) and started using it as a way to write to them... on a personal level... about their lives... about their challenges... about their interests... about their day.  There is nothing digital... if there's a picture, it's because I drew it.  If there's a compliment, it's because I wrote it.  It's paper, ink, heart and soul.  It's just a conversation between my boys and me.  I'm thinking it will be a gift at some point in their lives.... leaving for college maybe.  I'm not even sure it will ever be a significant thing to them... but it's a little something I can do to let them know just how much they mean to me... through my words.

Words, you see, are very powerful.  Once you say them... you can never take them back.  Words can make you shine like a dime... or they can break the very spirit that guides you.

And another way words speak to me is through music... I absolutely adore this song -- its message -- its words.  Take a listen.  I've included the lyrics below.  

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do

And they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down

By the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing

Bow down to the mighty

Don’t run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Innocence, your history of silence

Won’t do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you.

That's some pretty powerful stuff there, huh?  I love people that aren't afraid to stand out... to be the change that they want to see in the world... to be brave enough to say the words that need to be spoken... for whatever reason.  Don't keep them in.  Be brave!  Share your words!

I've seen my eldest face this demon head on... and I saw how victorious he was when I wouldn't let him quit and made him face it... to be brave through encouragement.  He has learned words have power... 

Drew hasn't had to face this dragon yet... but the time will come and I hope he, too, is ready to be brave!

Benji... yeah, he's a WHOLE other can of worms... he will throw words at you... just be prepared to catch them.  They usually involve a body part, a bodily function and are followed by maniacal laughter.  

And, you know I have to deal with him on a daily basis.  Thus, I am brave.