Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones....

Whoever coined the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt,” must not have understood the power that words possess.  In fact, sometimes words hurt more than sticks and stones.  I think that some people underestimate the effects and the explosive impact that words can have. Rachel Wolchin advises to "Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don't mean much to you may stick with someone for a lifetime."   

For those who don’t know me, I am a small built American woman of African descent.   At my current age of 35, I weigh around 120 pounds, which is the most I have ever weighed, aside from pregnancy; and while I am both medically healthy and fit, I couldn’t tell you the number of times I have heard insulting words regarding my size.  For example, I am often told: you’re too skinny, you need to gain some weight, or you look sick.  If I was paid every time someone made a nasty remark regarding my size, I’d be pretty well off.  At least once a week, I am reminded of my size in a somewhat negative light, and while it used to hurt me and have an unhealthy impact, it now has NO impact.  The moment I hear those words, I immediately, say, but I am healthy, and I look good.  You see, now, I know that “I AM #ENOUGH!” 

Nevertheless, I can’t help but think about the millions of individuals who are picked on or insulted on an everyday basis because of their skin color, size, hair texture, disability, speech impediment, education level, financial or economic status, sexual orientation, sickness, religious beliefs, etc.  You see not everyone has the ability to look past the words spoken and see the level of ignorance housed by the verbalist in order to understand that the person spouting off insults must apparently have some unresolved self-issues or self-deficiencies.  We now overlook ignorance and call it personality flaws when individuals freely speak their minds without considering others and how they will feel.  Our society has made it okay, in the name of freedom of speech, to slander and ridicule persons while calling it fun and games, and then we wonder why bullying, suicide, and homicide rates are at an all-time high.  Just as a wild fire can be prevented if we never light a match, a lot of emotional and psychological issues can be prevented if we would simply be QUIET.   

You see, insults, whether harsh or joking, carry a lot of weight. Since it is impossible to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, I would ask you to consider yourself, your children, or someone you love being harassed and insulted before doing so to someone else.  Think back to that childhood moment when someone jokingly insulted you or that moment when that educator embarrassed you in front of the class.  Think about how you felt!  Do you remember? EXACTLY! If you can remember when harsh words were spoken to you, regardless of how long it has been, and how bad you felt, then why would you want to inflict that level of pain on someone else?

Listen!  No one’s perfect.  We all have areas in which we can improve or work on, without being reminded every day.  So we must be mindful of how we treat others.  You never know, your words might determine whether someone lives or dies. Choose your words wisely because while sticks and stones may break bones, words do hurt.

My name is Tiffany LaMeia and I am dedicated to becoming a better me, encouraging you to be a better you, and helping you to understand that you are #ENOUGH!  -Have a Prosperous Day!