"Words have no power to impress the mind without the
exquisite horror of their reality."
-- Edgar Allan Poe
Words as Weapons
"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you…" We've all been consoled by caring parents, after being teased as a child for being called -- fat, ugly, four-eyes, brace face or stupid.., and many more -- much harsher and vulgar words… But being a parent is probably the hardest thing anyone can do.., and even though we like to think they always have the answers -- sometimes they just don't.., they are just human, after all.
It's like some secret magic phrase, that will shield you from all the insults and derogatory things ever said about you -- "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me..," and for a brief moment in time -- it works, you feel better. Like those magic words -- Abracadabra.., that simple phrase that has been repeated so many times, by parents and others worldwide, rings true in our minds and helps heal our heart… Like some ancient words of wisdom, passed down through time to ease your aching soul.
But -- yes, there is always a but…
We quickly learn that words can cut deeper than any knife.., and have been responsible for just as much pain, than all the sticks and stones ever thrown. So much so, we will actually seek out the nastiest, targeted words to hurt and demean… And when necessary, we wield those words with the precision of a Samurai, knowing exactly what will inflict the most pain. In the hands of a gifted wordsmith they are as dangerous a weapon as they come…
What ever happened to.., if you don't have anything good to say --
Shut The Fuck Up!
Shut The Fuck Up!
We've are all aware of people actually taking there own life -- killing themselves.., because they were: bullied at school, a verbally abused wife, children of dominating parents.., just to name a few of the many reasons, words can be used as a mortal weapon -- we've seen this.., it is a reality.
As the better of our human qualities continues to get drowned out.., by all the lame, hurtful, divisive and useless rhetoric being thrown around by our so-called "elected leaders..," words seem to have taken center stage, only giving way to the deplorable physical manifestations, we seem to be witnessing on a daily basis -- mass shootings and other acts of terror. This hateful speech and disdain, people seem to have no problem voicing, is not only playing directly into their nemesis's hands -- but making the whole world, so much less than it should and can be…
The Power of Words
**These "words" that were not supposed to be able to hurt us.., **have most recently taken aim at a certain group of politicians, a group of young girls, the citizens of London.., and a mosque. These scornful "words" although when spoken hold many prejudices -- do not discriminate. This is not theory or hypothesis.., we wake to new acts of violence regularly, like we are tuning into the latest TV reality show…
And although only the most gruesome and vulgar of these acts hits your newsfeed, we all have seen many times in the past, peoples whole lives ruined by words -- false or not… Complete smear campaigns meant, not just insult.., but completely destroy and malign. Each day we are subject to such reckless behavior, we move further and further away from such qualities as -- empathy and compassion, understand and tolerance. We are being taken down a path, that cannot have a good end…
Make no mistake words can be used as a weapon of mass destruction --
so watch what you say!
so watch what you say!
With no visible end in sight to these baseless barbs.., our vibration sinks even lower… On an unconscious level our minds are being taught to accept this bullshit.., just by it's constant presence in our lives -- the daily headlines of yet another massacre, the latest inflammatory 140 characters being tweeted out at 3am… It is not good enough to impose death and destruction anymore -- now words are being used to attack our psyche's.., our very intelligence is being challenged by what has become known as "fake news" -- more words!
Understanding the outcome of the words that cross your lips, is not always evident… And it is not uncommon to hurt someones feelings by accident, with a thoughtless comment -- which has been, in the past, followed up by an apology… But in our present world, apologies and understanding have been over shadowed by our baser instincts. If we can't win the battle between good and evil with our words.., how do we expect the current situation our world is experiencing to change, at all. And just like a brush fire, the longer it burns.., the hotter it gets -- until nothing is left.
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