Words Cause More Damage Than Sticks and Stones – Brian’s Blog

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." That is one of biggest loads of crap I have ever heard. We have all heard that saying for years and most believe it's true. I could not disagree more. Words are much more damaging than a weapon unless used in a murderous fashion. You can chuck all the sticks and stones you want at me. I will learn to dodge them or just learn to tolerate the pain. Any wound from a stick or stone will eventually heal and scab over. Words on the other hand, cut deep and continue to bleed. Some words cause so much damage that a person never really recovers from it.

I would rather be punched in the face than have someone say something hurtful to me. I was spanked as a child often. Most of us from our generation were. I cannot remember a single spanking or lesson learned from it but I can vividly remember Dad's lectures about how hurt he was by my behavior and how disappointed he was in me. Those words carried a lot more weight than a belt to the rear. I never remember a whooping but I remember how horrible I felt letting Dad down. I wished he would just spank me instead of talking. Those words linger and linger.

Keep that in mind when talking with your children, co-workers, friends and family members. Words are the most powerful weapon in the world. They are the weapons of mass destruction. You can destroy a persons confidence and sense of self worth with just a few horrible words that can never ever be taken back. Before you let unfiltered emotion come out of your face in the form of words, eat them for a minute and think about how they are going to effect the person you are about to say them to. Just give it a second before they come out. You may save someones self esteem. Be kind today...and everyday.