Recent Musings:

The power of words.

Friday, August 4, 2006

I watched someone shrink the other night as their spouse picked a fight with them for an unknown reason. It was very sad - the person literally got smaller, shrinking down into their seat, turning pale and somber. I cried about it later; I know how it feels to be in that position.

I also watched someone inflate the other night as another person at the conference table praised them for their enlightening idea. Suddenly the person lit up and felt free to speak his/her mind, which was full of ideas. I was just as impacted by that scenario; I've felt the exhilaration of being respected.

I worry more about the person who was degraded, for that person I love and wish no pain on them whatsoever. However, the solace I've given myself is that each person must suffer some pain to discover in what ways they need to protect themselves. Unless you know what hurts you, you don't know what to defend. I can only pray and hope that the person, through the guidance of their instincts or the guidance of a friend, will learn how to prevent the situation from controlling, tainting or severely damaging their personhood. I hope I will be able to help when the time presents itself.

I learned as well that positive words have just as much impact as negative and that people need to hear them to help believe in themselves. I smiled as I watched that interaction unfold; it was like watching a child open a present.

I'd like to remember to watch people's body language as they converse with others and with me. Perhaps I can learn how my words are affecting others, instantly.