A Few Simple Words

“…Words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.” ~Patrick Rothfuss

Dear Universe,

Yesterday I spotted something trending on Twitter that I instantly loved.

#EncourageEveryoneIn4Words

Immediately words came to mind. I typed the first few I thought of and fit as many encouraging, four-word phrases as I could into one quick tweet. Here’s what the message said:

#EncourageEveryoneIn4Words: “This too shall pass.” “Be kinder than necessary.” “Be patient with yourself.” “Forgive yourself, forgive others.”

The truth is this had me inspired! I could have kept on tweeting.

“Give it some time.”

“Don’t worry, be happy.”

“Love your life completely.”

“Give gratitude whenever possible.”

“Dare to follow dreams.”

“Spread love to everyone.”

It got me thinking how sometimes all it takes are a few simple words to uplift someone, to inspire another. Yes, acts of kindness and grand expressions of love are wonderful too, but this idea reminded me that sometimes a little goes a long way.

“Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well.” ~Robin Sharma

In just four words you can be an example, start a movement, or simply be the encouraging reminder someone needs to hear that day. Four words can tell someone how loved she is. Four words can encourage someone to try, try, try again. Four words can tell someone that there is always hope.

Sometimes it takes even less than four.

Three words can melt a heart: I love you.

Two words can express gratitude and change someone’s day around: Thank you.

And one word can answer a question and change your life: Yes. No.

So many times we think we don’t have the power to help or the power to make a difference. And it’s true: sometimes things are out of our control.

But maybe we can try. Maybe we can choose our words carefully and make them count.

“One kind word can change someone’s whole day.”