Words. No trophy more significant; no weapon more powerful. Nothing with more capacity to change the world. No limits to imagination, no barriers to raw truth. Do we wield them with kindness, positive intent, or with malice?

Words have always been my love language, mostly written. From my childhood diary to soulful letters from my high school love to a career in writing and now, this blog. I look back over cards and texts and emails, and my heart swells with the emotions evoked.

“The words people say to us not only have shelf life but have the ability to shape life.”  –– Bob Goff 

A beloved friend said something about me being a safe space, presenting myself as someone others could talk to honestly without judgment. Something I strive to be and do. Her affirmation touched me deeply and solidified in me an intention and aspiration.

Many years ago, my husband stole my heart when he said he wanted a baby who looked just like me. It was powerful in ways he likely didn’t even realize. We both wanted children. But as someone who has never felt pretty, it meant he was looking beyond physical attributes. That he saw me. (And yes, our now adult children carry attributes of both of us.) His love and acceptance helped me lay down the teen-shaming and outgrow the insecurity I didn’t deserve.

My shaman friend referred to the golden thread of entanglement, and I am entranced by the vision it conjures. In my small town, the connections between people are everywhere, two degrees of separation. But entanglement is more intense to me, an emotional connection weaving strangers into friends, friends into family, words into poetry.

A stranger commented on the intelligence and passion he overheard among my table of gray-haired friends during a recent lunch. “You all are amazing, and I want to thank you.” How often does that happen, especially since we are a loud and vehement group of “woke” women who vote? We left feeling seen and valued.

Truth be told, there is no *one nicest thing* anyone ever said to me. “Nicest” depends on the day, my mood, my attention. I realize this is true for all of us. We never know the internal messages others are carrying, deserved or not. We don’t know all they’ve faced on any given day or hour.

But I am ever more aware of words’ power and the ability to uplift. I hope I wield that power wisely, so my words will land with grace and kindness. I'm no more successful at it than anyone else, but we can all try.