Lessons/Reflections from my 20’s [Day 13]
Words are weapons — wield them wisely
Words are so much more powerful than we appreciate.
They can lift us up or leave us crushed. Really though, it’s not just a truism.
Our words do affect others.
I’m going to give two examples, one disheartening and one uplifting.
I recall a time in my life when I was more vulnerable and had just arrived in London. I managed to get a job in a prestigious company interning. It didn’t turn out very well, I hated the work and my boss ignored me for the time I was there.
Now that wasn’t great but it wasn’t the worst. It was hearing from his boss that he hadn’t chosen me, that he had chosen me and that my boss had chosen someone else. It may have been a backhanded compliment but where I was at the moment it wasn’t good to hear. It stuck with me.
I saw the implications of which play out over many years before its resolution.
Now, on the flip side, I too met someone when they are at their most vulnerable, their heart trampled on and I spoke from the heart and it played out like this.
It was the Rowing World Championships in 2007, the competition had just wrapped up. My future, very good friend Luka Spik had just won the world championships and everyone was celebrating at the Hofbrau Bier Haus, an excellent beer house in Munich.
There was a sullen face in the room though, Andy Triggs Hodge, the legendary stroke of the until then unbeatable Great Britain men’s four that had come 4th that day.
I went over to him, said a few encouraging words and went on my way.
Many years later, I saw this video and my jaw dropped. I knew I had some power when speaking from the heart but watch this and see what magic can happen:
Words are weapons! Use them wisely
