INTRODUCTION
Sticks and Stones
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”
Many of us at some time have heard this child’s quote: “Sticks and stones may break my bones,…” I’m sure we’d all agree that this part of the quote is definitely true, but it was the second part of the verse that had always troubled me: “…but words will never hurt me.” Even as a child, I knew, without a doubt, words did hurt!
During my early years, I remember words having been the source of much of my frustration. I still recall one instance in elementary school during recess when some annoying bullies had been picking on me and my friend. We tried to ignore them, but even walking away didn’t stop their use of cruel words. In defense, I turned around and faced them yelling out with boldness and rage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” Well, I really don’t know if it was the tone of my voice, or the fact that I stood up to them that made them stop. Nevertheless, all day long and into the week I could still feel the sting of their words, which had penetrated deep within my heart. The bottom line was that their words did hurt.
I’m sure, if you think back, you too could recall such an event. Maybe the harmful words came from a parent, teacher, a person of authority or maybe even from a bully. In any case, those words have traveled with you through life only to appear at the worst of times. In this book, we will learn that words are so powerful that when negatively spoken, they can undermine our self-esteem, attack our true being or the ridicule they cause can even affect our future. On the other hand, positive words can uplift, encourage, and broaden our horizons helping us to accomplish all we were meant to be.
During my search for a title for this book a song came to me in a dream. The song was written by Herb Newman called, “The Birds and the Bees.” If you remember this catchy tune, hum along with me.
“Let me tell ya ‘bout the Birds and the Bees, and the Flowers and the Trees, and the Moon up above, and a thing called Love.”
The following morning I was unable to shake this song out of my head. It was then that the six chapters of this book were birthed. Let me tell you about theWords and the Seeds, and the Flowers and the Trees, and the Moon up above, and a thing called Love. The original song was referring to the facts of life, but since most of us already know about the birds and the bees, I’d like to introduce Words and Seeds as facts of life most essential and valuable to us all.
“Fact” is known to be the realness and the truth of something, therefore, this book refers to the realness and the truth of life, and how our words can affect it.
In this book we will learn facts and truths about our lives based on the power behind the words spoken to us or by us, whether good or bad. With this information we can begin to check our speech before we let out a word to those around us. First and foremost, we will be able to think back on what we have said, and what has been said to us realizing how our lives have been affected today. In reading this book, I am convinced that we can actually become better persons.
The Words We Leave Behind, Especially Those Spoken Will Be A Lasting Picture Of Who We Are.