"I will speak daggers to her, but use none" (William Shakespeare: Hamlet 3.2: 366).

It's a common misconception that the most lethal weapons are physical. While a bullet can end a life in an instant, the impact of words can be more profound and enduring. As Shakespeare astutely observed, 'Words spoken cannot be retrieved.' This is a stark reminder of the lasting impact of our words, urging us to exercise caution and self-control before speaking. The power of life and death is in the tongue. Bullets kill the body, but words can destroy one's physical and mental health, future, career, family, now and generations to come. Let this weight of our speech guide us in choosing our words wisely.

We often underestimate the power of words; they can build, destroy, and heal. Some say sticks and stones break your bones, but words don't hurt. That maxim is laid bare and becomes questionable when one understands the enormous problems words cause in people's mental health and socio-political lives. Think of online bullying, street aggression, family verbal abuse, gossip, character assassination, etc. The kind of words we use could encourage or destroy others, especially our children, who rely on the older ones for direction and growth. As adults, we bear a significant responsibility in shaping our children's mental health through words. We use our words to encourage, build them up or tear them down. Although I am not an apostle of child coddling, I believe that while we lay a solid foundation for our children's development, we must encourage them to learn to toughen themselves against societal challenges; grooming kids to be stronger adults must not lead to child mental abuse.

Some have argued that we should be our protectors against other people's words because we are responsible for our emotions. If you give other people's words power over you, you become a victim of their malicious words; hence, we must learn to live for ourselves and be indifferent to other people's words. This does not mean we should tolerate verbal abuse. Setting boundaries and protecting ourselves from harmful words is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step for our mental well-being. Unless they are children, adults should not allow themselves to be harmed by mere words. Allowing others' words to hurt or control us reveals one's level of insecurity and immaturity. The revelation calls for emotional work, which involves understanding and managing your emotions, building self-esteem, and developing resilience. This emotional work is not easy, but it's empowering. It puts you in control of your mental well-being and how you respond to others' words. That might be correct, but not everyone is emotionally strong enough to counter the unnecessary verbal aggression of others. Worse still, if we believe in equity, fairness and justice, we must consider doing to others what we do not want others to do to us. Words can be damaging, so no one has the right to offend, hurt, or attack others.

Words are potent tools that can be wielded for good and bad causes. The tongue, though small, is the hardest to tame. Let us use it to speak life into others' lives with kind and loving words full of compassion, truth, honesty, respect, and dignity. Remember, words can heal, inspire, and bring about positive change. They are powerful; once spoken, they cannot be erased. Therefore, it's crucial to choose our words wisely.

Empathy is not just a key; it's the heart of this process. Before speaking, consider how your words might make the other person feel. This simple act of kindness can transform your words from potentially harmful to positively impactful. It's a call to connect with others on a deeper level and understand their feelings and perspectives before speaking. Let's remember that our words have the power to shape a better, more empathetic world.

Video: https://youtu.be/pVK0gLVShlk