Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And in the interest of switching things up on this blog, starting with the TBR at the start of the month, I decided to do something a little different for this next one.
This isn't an essay of sorts, more like a gathering of thoughts. I wanted to create a bit of ambiance, but you've already seem the title, so there really isn't much point.
The subject is something I think a lot about: words. Kind words, hurtful words. Etc.
If I babble on for much longer, I'll end up using all my points up, and that's the last thing I want.
I hope you enjoy it.
Words have the power to change you. They can be used to
inspire, to build a momentum, to make a person feel good about themselves. They
also hold the power to tear you down, to diminish you and your worth, to make
your question whether you’re good enough. Whoever came up with the saying
“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was
talking out of their own ass.
Words are everywhere. We see them on posters, leaflets,
billboards, as subtitles. Text messages, social media, and books as well, of
course. Most of the time, they’re there to invoke some sort of reaction, or
emotion. They’re there to inspire, to shock, to scare, to encourage, to entertain,
or inform a person, dependant on what the subject matter is. For example, a
message on a cigarette pack is to shock a person into giving up smoking. The
words on a poster might be spreading the word for a bake sale or a yard sale
(if people still do that sort of thing).
That escalades to everything entertainment-wise. Plays,
books, films, tv shows, musicals and stand-up comedy- they all had a manuscript
at some point. Although stand-up comedy is slightly different- some of that
could include crowd work, thinking on the spot, some of it does have to be
rehearsed- links to different bits and pieces that are part of the comedian’s
act.
Sometimes there are so many words, phrases, so many thoughts
banging on the inside of your break, it’s hard to know the right ones to say,
to write down first. There’s only ever so much time, to say the important
thoughts in your head, first. You just have to say the most important thoughts
first, and hope that’s enough, so the other person understands. Think before
you speak.
I often wonder where harsh words come from. We’re not born
thinking negatively- whether that be towards ourselves or other people- we
learn it somewhere. I imagine it’s from family members, and the average passer
by- who is late, agitated, and swearing profusely at something that’s making
them later- whether that be a person or a vehicle that is slowing their
progress down.
We all have aspects that we inherit from our families-
whether that be full lips, non-existent eyebrows- and sometimes what people
call ‘a potty mouth’. Also, it’s worth noting that large crowds will
demonstrate something called mob mentality, where a small group of people, voicing
an opinion, then having it backed up by others, is enough to start one large
emotion throughout the rest of the crowd. I imagine the crowd mentality works
the same way as inheriting certain features- families share similar views, carry
on traditions and even share day to day habits.
That might even be where harsh words come from. We’re not
born thinking negatively- whether that be towards ourselves or other people- we
learn it somewhere. Not just from family members though, even the average
passer-by can affect our language- a passer-by who is late, agitated, and
swearing profusely at something that’s making them later- whether that be a
person or a vehicle that is slowing their progress down.
I often wonder, who decided the names of words? Who decided
that an apple should be called an apple, or a pear a pear? I guess it was the
person that discovered it decides what it’s called. Having looked it up, in the
past, names of things have been established by describing. The example given is
about how a person might describe a tree down the road as a white oak, but another
person might describe it as a rough oak, or a dark oak.
The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,
which is the name of a disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust. I have
no idea in hell how Everett M. Smith came up with that word.
Vocabulary. What is it? We use vocabulary words to change
the tone of an essay, a letter, to learn the definitions in a test. Some people
use them to prover how smart they are. Personally, I don’t think you need fancy
vocab words to show you’re intelligent.
I’ve always found it interesting, how people find different
words offensive. Obviously, there are words that are just nasty, that should
never have existed. But again, it goes back to, who decides why a certain word has
a meaning that people find offensive. Does that make sense? Take the ‘c’ word
for example. I’ve always been brought up to think that that word should never
be heard or spoken. But over the past few years, I’ve heard it uttered increasingly
frequently. And I’ve been told that up north, it’s not such a big deal to say
it.
Obviously, I don’t say that word, because it’s an insult,
but I can’t help thinking about other swear words. Like, say when you trip over
something, or burn yourself cooking. Saying “Shit!” or “Fuck!” can relieve you
of pain and help you to fight in the fight or flight response. Surveys show
that people that frequently swear tend to be more honest and forthright day to
day. They can even be calming.
I have an example as for when profusely swearing was calming.
This was several years ago, when I was a kid. I went on a volcano ride with me
Dad, and I found the entire thing entertaining as heck. Basically: being pushed
in. Cue a little swearing. But really, it wasn’t until the cart unexpectedly sky
rocketed that I could see the words tumbling out of him like water! It’s a good
thing the roar of the rocket was so loud that I couldn’t hear a word of what he
was saying. ‘Swearing like a trouper’ is the phrase I will use.
Anyway, if you’ve managed to get to this part-
congratulations! This is the last part- the summary.
All in all, words can hurt. What might be a fleeting comment
to you, might scar someone else- perhaps for life. Consider what you say,
before you say it. (Unless you’ve been mates for over a decade and know each-other
enough to insult them to their face and they won’t get offended (we all need a
friend like that.)) That counts for online too. Everyone has their
insecurities, their obsessions, their loves and passions, and pissing on that might
just make you terrible.
Also, sometimes it helps to turn your phone off. To take a
break from all the advertisements. You don’t need a reminder of all the things
that everyone is doing, all the things you should be doing, to boost your health,
to get more sleep. So, take a break off social media and get some peace and quiet.
Okay! Those are all the thoughts I have on well, words! Message, texts, truth, conversations... It's all around us. As always, if you have any thoughts of your own that you want to voice on the subject, please feel free! It's an open space after all!
I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon!
Byeeeee!
-Abi xxxxx
