Sticks and Stones

Do ya’ll remember the quote about sticks and stones?

It was usually said when school kids started calling each other names.

The old quote says:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”

Truthfully I have no idea who came up with such a quote.

But, well, to be honest, he was an idiot, an absolute complete idiot.

Yes, the sticks and stones can hurt or maybe even break a bone here and there.

In time the bruises heal, the bones mend.

That part is true.

But where on earth did they decide words will never hurt me???????

Really?

That is a big old lie if ever there was one.

Words have the power to lift you up,

Help you feel great about yourself,

Encourage you, make you feel special,

Know that somebody cares about you,

Values you,

Loves you.

Yet on the other hand, mean words, cruel words and ugly name calling does hurt,

Sometimes they hurt deeply; sometimes cutting clear to the bone.

Just ask anybody in school that has been called names because of their looks, or they wear glasses or have braces, or maybe they aren’t as smart as others, or not as athletic as some.

Kids can be really cruel pint-size human beings!!!!

Growing up back in the day, I heard coaches and teachers undermine students, literally crushing their spirits.

When they should have been lifting them up with patience and encouragement.

Shame on each and every adult in any profession, but especially working with children and teens.

SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!!!

Then there are parents, they have bad days at work, come home and yell at each other, yell at the kids, even yells at the dog.

What about sibling rivalry, we may love our brothers and sisters, but sometimes, things get heated and words fly.

Maybe your boss or coworker that chooses to gripe and fuss and berate you simply because you made a mistake.

No matter what walk of life you are from, what country, what family, what school, what profession.

Words are always used, in many different languages, but no matter what language you speak,

We all should be careful and keep our tongue in check. 

Because folks….. Words Really Do Hurt!!!

Sometimes much longer than a stick or stone.

Next time your upset or angry.

Take a slow deep relaxing breath ever so slowly.

Then silently ask yourself, “Would I want to be called names and yelled at?”

I can promise you, that if you’re honest with yourself, the answer would be NO!

REMEMBER THAT UNKIND WORDS, NAME CALLING,

INSULTS, THEY ALL HURT OTHERS.

SOMETIMES FOR YEARS AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SAID!!!!!

And once they leave your mouth, you can’t take them back,

and “I’m sorry” doesn’t fix it.

Imagine if you will, a tree…

if you drive a nail into that tree, symbolizing the ugly words you hurl at others.

Then feel bad about putting that nail there and remove it, symbolizing the I’m sorry.

What is left when you look at that tree?

A hole in its bark, a scar……

the same thing that people leave with others when they lash out, or bully, or yell, or put down or name call.

The lesson of this blog…..

WORDS DO HURT!!

INSULTS DO HURT!!

PUT DOWNS HURT!!

NAME CALLING HURTS!!

BULLYING HURTS!!

SO STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK,

BECAUSE YOU REALLY CAN’T TAKE IT BACK,

WITHOUT LEAVING SCARS!!!!!