“Words and hearts should be handled with care, for words misspoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair.” ~ Unknown
Ever do this? Say something then feel the immediate twinge of regret? You wish, how you wish, you could somehow take them back. But they stick like glue. Sometimes they are just casual, oh so casual, “I didn’t really mean it.”
We utter them right off the top of our head, just because we need to talk–oh, how we need to talk, to say something—oh, how we always need to be saying something.
Sometimes they are tinged with hints of sarcasm—just enough hint to hurt.
Sometimes we lash out in anger. And that’s the worst kind—so far from kind.
And then there’s the so unkind kind that cuts … deep, sometimes scarring to permanence—like a car that’s been wrecked and declared totaled. Total damage.
If we would but look into the eyes, we would see the heart of each.
But no, we shrug away, whispering, “So what.”
Our culture actually takes pride in telling someone off. We hang on to the brash words of reality television and celebrate the celebrity spewing trash-talk. Bullying is a problem among our children. It’s like we celebrate hate.
What have we become?
Yes, conflict is part and parcel of life. But my mother used to say “Fight nice.” The word hate was so repulsed it was never allowed in our home, under any circumstances. Not even an “I hate brocolli!” was permitted.
Words can build or destroy. Choose them wisely—choose to soothe, heal, protect, build.
Why not declare to say, today, words tinged with, dare I say, … love?
And if you have nothing to say, it’s perfectly okay to just say nothing.
“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent.” ~Proverbs 17:28a
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~Plato
This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Broken”. I chose to use the theme in the context of “words”, which can break and shatter as powerfully as they build and heal.
Our modern world is filled with an abundance of them. Sometimes even one sentence can wreak a force as destructive as a volcanic eruption. (Think Twitter with its mere 160 characters. It packs a powerful punch, doesn’t it?)
Our WordPress community continues to be a safe haven for words, a place where thoughtful expression is wrapped in respect for everyone. I’ve found it to be thus far, and I hope it continues.
“Let your speech be always with grace.” ~Colossians 4:6a
Peace,
Alexandria
For other interpretations of the Broken Challenge, I hope you’ll take some time and visit here. You’ll enjoy the endless creativity of WordPress photographers, both amateur and professional. Enjoy! 🙂
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As we celebrate another Christmas, memories of the past are a common thread woven through our countless conversations. We truly are wired to dwell on the past or dream about the future, aren’t we? The photo challenge this week prompts us to think of the “now”, the present. And so I thought I’d share a sweet moment I quickly captured.
After being fenced off from the gifts for an entire week, it was finally time! Now! The blockade was removed and my littlest grandson scurried a quick path straight to a different kind of “present”!
Fall Dozes
Grids make a space for everyone, especially friendly ferns!
Moon Shadows
