March 1-7 is Words Matter week. Now weighing words before speaking is more important than ever. I’ve noticed a new trend that I’m happy to see, more people are taking greater care in the words they use, who and what they talk about and how they present information.

Why do words matter? Words can be used for good or for evil as in blessings or curses. Words can be used to persuade you to act or think in a specific way. Words can entirely derail a life, as in, “you have a life-threatening condition.” Or bring encouragement, “You’re in perfect health!”

We are revealed by the words we say. Most of my relationship problems were triggered because of what I said or how I said it. Years ago, I shared with a friend the details of an argument I’d had with a relative. She asked a simple question. “Did your words get you the outcome you expected?”

In fact, they had not. Why? Because my focus was on sounding clever, being heard and wanting to have the last word. I’d used incendiary words that only kept the argument going and caused further damage. In the raging fire of an argument, our words can be water or gasoline.

Had I taken the time to think about the argument in a different way, as in what could solve the issue, I might have realized what result I hoped to obtain and used words that might have allowed me to reach that end. Words matter in relationships.

A friend and I were talking this week about why she doesn’t follow certain citizen journalists (CJs). She disapproved of a word that was used to name a certain body part. She felt using a slang term instead of a clinical term cheapened the article. She went on to say that word choice costs CJs credibility, and that she is less likely to believe their reports or read more of their articles.

I’d read the same article and agreed that the CJ had made a poor choice. As a ghostwriter dealing with a lot of first-time authors, I’ve learned to look past what I see on the page to the potential in an author’s writing. My training enables me to show the author how to tell their story with clarity and impact. Words matter in publishing.

Many people believe whatever is said from talking heads on a widescreen, but what if those words were carefully curated to steer your thinking in a specific direction? That’s advertising, propaganda and politics in a nutshell. Each word is chosen for its specific gravity, sound and the imagery it evokes in your mind.

I used to watch a certain show with a hard-hitting realist. His messages and insights were amazing. Though he taught me a great deal, I hardly ever shared links to his show because he used unkind words to describe those who weren’t as far along in their understanding as he was. The concern with watching a show like that, is the potential to get caught up in unintentional emulation of those individuals. Eventually, I had to find more balanced sources of information. Words matter in broadcasting.

A large majority of people automatically believe words printed on the page, the words of people wearing suits, the words of those wearing lab coats, the words of talking heads with News logos on the screen.

In the last several years, I’ve read a number of books that were based on falsehoods. These were promoted by the publishers, book clubs and the media. What is our measuring stick for truth or trustworthy people? And if their words aren’t true, how do we hold those people accountable?  Over the last few years, discerning people have realized that some people listed above have intentionally presented false information. Every word matters.

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shalt be justified, and by your words you shalt be condemned.–Mattithyahu 12:33-37 

I’ve touched on this before, that our words carry more power than most of us are aware. The effect of words has been minimized by such statements as, “They’re just words, they don’t mean anything.” That simply isn’t true.

As I head into Words Matter week, I’ll be keeping two questions at the front of my mind. What am I hearing? What am I saying? Are you doing anything special to commemorate the week?

If you’re writing a book and wondering what’s important to your story, or they best way to write about delicate subjects, I’d be happy to share several free resources. Book your free consultation here.

Thanks for listening! I hope to see you next time. But until then, if you enjoyed the article, share with a friend or drop a comment in the box below.