“There is something about words.  In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts.  Inside you they work their magic.” ~Diane Setterfield

Dear Universe,

As a writer and an avid reader, I am a lover of words.  I love the way words sound standing alone or when strung together.  I love the way words can evoke emotions and memories.  And I love learning new words or hearing words in different languages.

So when I saw this hashtag trending on Twitter, it naturally caught my eye!

#WordsNotUsedOftenEnough

This is not the first time a hashtag inspired me!  And so without much thinking, I immediately tweeted out what first came to mind.  “Please, thank you, grateful, blessed, happy, love, it’s enough.”

We live in a world filled with positive, happy, grateful people.  These people brighten up the dreariest of our days and their energy is contagious.

We also live in a world filled with negative, unhappy, complaining people.  These people can darken even the sunniest of days and their energy is often contagious too.

Then of course there’s the in between: people who are content enough and kind of stay neutral.

Here’s the thing.

I believe we need to choose our words carefully and that we need to use more positive, more grateful language.  A slight shift in our choice of words for the better can uplift someone’s mood, and even change someone’s mundane day to a memorable one.  (Maybe even our own!)

Words can make a world of difference.  (Tweet that!)

(A sign of gratitude spotted in a London eatery!)

Just a few letters placed side by side to make that one perfect word, can create a powerful tsunami of happiness, of safety, of satisfaction, of love.

If you don’t believe me, take a minute right now to close your eyes and repeat the word love over and over again.  Do it for at least a minute and then come back to me…

See?  Four letters.  One syllable.  One word.  Pretty amazing.

“There exists, for everyone, a sentence—a series of words—that has the power to destroy you. Another sentence exists, another series of words, that could heal you.” ~Philip K. Dick

So if you are reading this, and these words are resonating at all, I have a challenge of sorts.  I want you to think about your list of #WordsNotUsedOftenEnough and I want you to vow and use them as often as you can today.

And if you like this experiment so much, I want you to use them tomorrow too.

And maybe the day after that.

Remember, these words are not carved in stone.  You can always revaluate and make a new list!  The point is to be conscious in choosing them and to deliver them with most loving and best of intentions.

People can always tell when your words are sincere.  And that meaning behind the delivery, the way you make them feel?  That becomes your legacy, how they remember you.

You don’t have to tell anyone you’re doing this experiment (though I would love to hear it if you want to share!)  You just have to try and spread more of the words you long to hear, the words that leave a positive impact on you.

Because chances are if those words make a difference to you, they will probably mean something to someone else.

So, what will it be?  What words will you choose to gift today?

With Gratitude,

A