How often we forget the power of the word. Words on paper are strong but the power lies in the tongue. What we speak becomes either a weapon of destruction or a tool of healing. I realize that in this country we have the freedom to express ourselves with writing and speaking and it is a right that I cherish. At the same time it is also a right that can be abused or used unthoughtfully to hurt or destroy.
We can easily remember things our forefathers said in speeches more than which bills they signed into law. We study the words of our mentors to give us guidance and memorize famous lines in movies that we use everyday. The power of the tongue.
We have got to be more responsible with how we use this power that we have. Like a superhero, he has to choose to use his powers for good or evil. He can save the world or destroy it. When we were children, we were ruled by emotion. Everything that goes through the mind comes out of the mouth. Good or bad, positive or negative. As we grow older we learn to get a grip on the emotions and take inventory of what we say and how it affects other people. Good or bad.
My experience currently has been with a lack of attention on the mouth and more on physical action. Bullying. When we think of bullying, we think of a group of kids cornering this little dude in the playground and beating the fire out of him. A more severe form of bullying is taking place that is going unnoticed and unpunished. Name calling, degrading remarks, under the breath whispers of torture. This is the type of torture that prompts a student to lose control and finally take physical action against the other. The things that are said to a child go from the mouth of the enemy straight to her heart and linger there for years to discourage and promise failure from now on. Even though I have learned the art of disregarding most hurtful statements, a child has not. Sometimes I even take those things to heart myself even though I know better. I may not be able to teach my children not to get hurt by abusing words but I can teach them not to participate in negative language toward another and show them how hurtful and wrong it is. I will not allow the use of hateful statements toward each other in my house and is punishable right up there with lying and wrongdoing.
I realize there is a fine line between our freedom and what is punishable. The target of verbal bullying will be reprimanded by his emotionally uncontrolled retaliation. The torture whisperer will not. No one will ever be punished or go to jail for destroying a life by verbal abuse but as a parent, it is my responsibility to teach the discipline of the tongue and the power words can have on other people.
