W is for Words

Happy Friday, friends!

Today's inspiration is all about words. I love words. I always have. When I was in elementary school, my favorite word was identification. I remember spelling it out loud over and over again, no doubt driving everyone around me crazy. I just liked the way it sounded: id-en-ti-fi-ca-ti-on. I admired its beauty and rhythm, even if I couldn't express those feelings at such a young age.

Now, at a significantly older age, I can appreciate the sound and beauty of words, how they hit the ear and feel on the tongue, and as a writer, I'm inspired by the way they can be crafted and turned into something quite beautiful. I think that's the main reason I enjoy writing poetry so much, particularly haiku. I love the pictures I can paint with the right choice of words.

In addition to being beautiful, though, words are also powerful, as you'll see in today's video inspiration. I hope you enjoy it.



My daily haiku is now up at the Pulitzer Remix site. You can find it here. To those of you who have been reading and commenting: Thank you. Your support means so much!


Wishing you all a wonderful Friday. ☺

Sunday inspiration

Happy Sunday!

Today's inspiration focuses on words—without speaking any. This abcNEWS video features people using writing to communicate the three-word message they most want to convey. Some of the words are meant to be lighthearted; others are more solemn. All of them are heartfelt.



What are your three words? These are mine:

Peace, Inspiration, Creativity to you all!

Sunday inspiration

Happy Sunday!

I have two videos to share with you today. The first one is about the power of words:




The second video is Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." It's not a new song, but it has an inspiring message, particularly for people who are trying to follow their dreams:



Lyrics here.


Have an inspiring Sunday!

The Power of Words

Yesterday's post about having no words got me thinking about words and the effect they have on our relationships with others. I posted this at another site this morning:

Life is all about the words. The words we say; the words we don't say. The words we don't think to say until it's too late; the words that seem to fly out of our mouths unbidden, causing hurt and ruining relationships. The words we wish we would have said, had we not been afraid of reactions, of consequences. Words that wound and heal. Our relationships are built on words. They have life and power. They reveal us more than our actions; they peer into our hearts; they, more than anything, show who we really are inside. Who are we?

Who am I? What do my words reveal?

I think that sometimes my words show that I'm a loving mom and wife and daughter and friend, someone who genuinely cares about others and wants to do everything possible to help them. On other days, my words are harsh; they show the stress I feel inside, the anger and frustration that tend to come to the surface inexplicably and at the worst times. I'm guilty of letting my words fly without really thinking about them, letting them go like bullets aiming to take down anything in their path. It's easy to forget that words can wound. When I was in elementary school and the kids would pick on me, my mom taught me to say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Well, words do hurt; they can hurt a lot. I've felt that hurt, and I know that I've caused that hurt as well, too many times.

So who am I?

I'm a woman who tries (and often fails) to choose words that reflect the person I feel I am deep in my heart--to show the goodness that I know is there, even though it's sometimes hidden by stress and anxiety and worry. And, like everyone else, I'm just doing the best I can.