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The Significance of Words

Even before the first person uttered a sound, human beings have attempted to convey their meaning to each other.  Drawings, dance, facial expressions, gestures- all represent these attempts.  Then, there were the first utterances, a different way of conveying meaning, using vocal cords and the larynx, instead of other tools.  Eventually, these utterances developed into words, until today and every day, we are bombarded with them, spoken, written, and signed.  Much of the time, we take only superficial notice of words.  Yet, sometimes, a word or conversation goes straight to our hearts, resulting in a new understanding of ourselves, each other and the world.  Words can be used to inform, heal, persuade, hurt, confuse.   Words come from the very deepest part of ourselves, the part we cannot touch, see or apprehend with our other senses.   Words are the evidence of the uniqueness in every human being.  If we accepted this fact, would it change how we select our words and speak them?  And when we hear a person speak, would we understand that the most respectful response we can make is to listen fully, without interruption.  Imagine what a different world we could have if each one of us did just that.
Grace K.F. Bates, CPK
Kailua, Hawaii