The power of your words

In today’s world we communicate a lot more than we actually do a task. That’s what a connected world is on the contrary to the adverts by technology giants, where everything is easier and every-one knows everything. Sorry folks, but today, the technology has brought us closer because it is easier to stay in touch.

Statistics and data is all important, but the real thing is an actual connection. I would trust a set of numbers more, if it is a friend sharing those to me. And that is the case with so many more. So here is the thought that lead me to write this post. Our words are way more important than the importance we give them.

The words you say today, could be the basis on which a decision is taken by the guy next to you. It could be the reason for a person to hate another, and so on. Today, because of this connected world we live in, everyone has his/her own watering hole for sharing comments, thoughts, news. That watering hole could be facebook, twitter or some other social media platform which I am not aware of. See your single status could possibly be looked on by the number of friends in your account and further by their friends.

Imagine, if you have 500 friends in your friend list and each friend has additional 200 friends. A single post of yours could be read by a hundred thousand people. That is the equivalent of a city. Have we measured our thoughts to understand this impact of our words?

When I say India is intolerant, my words could change the thoughts of a town in Pakistan, where they think that India is hell for Muslims. If I say that Muslims are terrorists, a kid growing up in Europe would carry this image in his mind for years. If I say India is not a clean place, people worldwide will keep associating us with snake charmers, muddied roads and what not (A lot of people still carry that image, don’t they?).

What I am coming to is that your words today carry the power to change a life, I dare say change the world. Would you want your words to change the world for the better or worse, would you want the world to hate others or learn to accept every individual the way they are? While there would be difference of opinions, would you want the world to touch arms at every single provocation or learn to sit together and sort it out?

Let me tell you a story. I was in UAE for Eid last year September. I met an uncle of mine after a long time at a mall. I was very glad to see him. He asked me about my whereabouts and all, I told him that I am planning to move to the middle east full time soon, as my parents and brothers are settled out there and it is lonely out here in India.

He said , “All we can do is try. Every day, even today, I try to live the life close to my ideals. I try to make someone else’s life slightly better. Keep trying and sleep peacefully”

I recently heard that he passed away. I would always remember him for his beautiful words, and pray that someday when I am gone, people remember me for the words that I share with them.

 I hope each of us understands the impact of our words are beyond our comprehension and so rather than being discouraged by this, understand that words of encouragement, wisdom and happiness can be shared with the exact hundred thousand people at the click of a mouse.

Live happy, speak happy.

Cheers

Footnote:

Image courtesy:http://drthermanevans.com/