Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That's a crock! An absolute crock! Whoever wrote this didn't have a clue.I didn't believe it was true ... that "words can never hurt me." As a child, I knew that words hurt me on a regular basis. When I saw my classmate hold back his tears and lower his head when called a "sissy," something inside me ached for my friend, because though I couldn't navigate the nuance of language in the third grade, I knew the term "sissy" was disgraceful.Have you ever had someone say something to you that cut you to the quick?Whether they were meant to be in jest or not, foolish words often penetrate to the depths of our being and are stored in our memory banks forever.I recently had the unfortunate opportunity to experience this very thing.I consider myself growing in maturity and therefore able to handle little hurtful comments here and there. I take them at face value, may or may not consider them and then easily forget them as if they were never spoken. However, this time apparently the line was crossed and my emotions took over. A comment was made that instantly broke my heart..
A friend I care about called me a " LEECH " ...my reaction was, at first, to try to explain my feelings...because I sensed something was wrong with the friendship.....he simply didnt answer/return my calls or emails with no logical explanation!..all I wanted him to know was that I wanted to salvage our friendship, and that I didnt want to lose him..you make things work no matter what you dont walk away .. but it was futile against the barrage of words he was tossing my way.The clincher was when he called me a LEECH leaving me crying. Or, more specifically, sobbing.
I have been thinking about this since then. Replaying the scenario over and over again wondering how one word that should be insignificant in the grand scheme of things could have such an impact on my thought life.
Hurtful words wound your self esteem. How can you esteem yourself, if people whom you respect or have authority afflict you with such words? It's even more disheartening when you succeed in life despite those words yet you cannot enjoy it because something inside of you feels unworthy. You've achieved but you feel like a fraud.
The hurting words are no longer outside of you, but are inside your head taunting you, bullying you, criticizing you. You've become your own abuser.
Words do hurt.!!! Damaging words can become internalized and can position you in life as the abused or the abuser. But Truth sets us free.Will truth speak to my agonizing heart and remind me of who I am and how irrefutably valuable I am ??? Only then will I heal.
I just want him to know that words are powerful, words once said can never be taken back....They can make or break a person. They could lift the spirit or destroy the soul...
