Tag: Power of Words

A Coworker’s Comment Changed My Life

We know how powerful words are. They stick with us for many years if not for a lifetime. Good or bad, they often stay etched in our minds.

Sometimes people don’t realize how important their words are to others. They don’t realize the difference that they are making.

An Observation 

When I was in my early twenties, I was very extroverted, unlike today. I wanted to talk with anyone and everyone. I enjoyed learning about others, sharing stories, and helping other people.

I spent much of my day asking others how they were doing, supporting others, offering advice, or lending a hand. To me, it was just because it was in my nature, but a coworker of mine made a comment to me one day that truly changed my life. She said, “I noticed that you always seem to be extending your energy outwards.”

I still remember these words plain as day. I was taken aback by the comment, and I didn’t quite know what she meant, but when I realized that she was right, my world changed.

Feelings 

I have always been the anxious type and to get rid of some of the nervous energy, I sometimes became a chatterbox or would keep “searching” for something or someone that could bring me peace. All of the energy projected outwards was a way to try to discover myself, as I was feeling lost and out of place. I was searching in the wrong area, I needed to turn that energy inward.

I naturally love to care for other people, but I was doing it in a way that never allowed me to get in touch with myself. I tried to find myself in others and I was never found.

I took these words to heart thinking that my coworker was onto something and sure enough, she was.

Improvement 

I was still me; I still had a huge passion for the people in my life, but I learned to balance all of this energy. I made sure to have energy for those that I loved and energy for me.

I started taking great steps to allow myself to feel more stable and centered. I took long walks in nature, did meditation, painted, and did arts and crafts. I enjoyed writing, cooking, photography, and I practiced mindfulness.

I became aware and in tune with myself. I made sure to check in with myself and how I was feeling from time to time. I paid attention to the breath that flowed in and out of my body. Instead of feeling constantly depleted, there was energy for others as well as myself. It was like an awakening, and I owed it all to my coworker.

Power

We hold the power to change our own lives and each other’s lives. Words are so powerful, listening is also powerful, as is being open to receive and incorporate such words.

I still think about these words today. My coworker made my life so much easier by simply noticing and sharing an observation.

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Like a Sponge

Our brains are wired to take in everything around us like a sponge. We absorb so much from other people and our surroundings. What we hear and see daily has a great impact on our well-being.

The spoken words of others have so much impact and meaning to us. Good or bad, they either make or break us and these words are often kept with us for a very long time, if not for life. I can recall so many times certain words were said to me, and I have kept them close whether I wanted to or not.

I remember a good amount of my childhood and young adult life, I remember most of the kind things that were told to me as well as the things that broke my heart. The power of other people’s words is beyond measure. Words live with us, they become part of us.

I remember when I was younger and moved to a new school where I knew no one other than my sister who was there with me. I remember sitting in class taking in my new surroundings, trying to focus on my teacher and the many new faces surrounding me. One of the other girls in my class came over to me after the lecture ended and she said “Hi, I am Kylie (not her real name), I am your new best friend.” We laughed and I felt such a sense of peace knowing that someone had my back, especially during such an intimidating time of changing schools and leaving everything that I knew behind. These kind words will never leave my mind.

Some of the words that stay with us are not only spoken but written. I have been blogging for a few years and I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to hear your comments. My whole day is made when I hear comments like “this resonates with me,” “I feel the same way,” “this helped me so much,” or “thank you for the insightful post.” Your kind words mean so much to me and are a huge motivation, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The moral of this story is that our words have a great impact on other individuals, and we should choose them wisely, for they may stick with someone for a lifetime. Do you have any words that have stuck with you over the years? I would love to hear them!