What's In a Name: A Memory and Lesson in the Power of Our Words.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet." Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

What's in a name indeed! A friend sent me a text the other day that very succinctly outlined how to play a game with a narcissist. The long and the short of it, you don't. So much going on right now that I can not put into the public forum. It's not my heart to put out sensationalism and low common denominator stuff. That's what I text my girls for because they get it and it ends with them. My venting is not my heart and even them I am extremely careful about my words.

Words have power. Lots and lots of power and despite great advances in medicine, technology and the delivery of over a hundred beverage options from one fountain, human brains continue to not get it. Biblically, Proverbs tells us life and death is in the power of the tongue. Buddha tells us, "Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill."George Michael cautions,"Time can never mend the careless whispers of a good friend." Law of attraction, power of positive thinking, so much is out there about our words and how they affect us.

I am not a perfect practitioner of this. Lawd, if you heard some of the things I tell myself about myself some days you'd probably smack me as a matter of principle. But I do try to be mindful of this and work on being kinder to myself and others. What's got me on this jag starts with that text the other day and the winding path of the past couple of days. I remember when the initials that someone clung to for identity stood for something other than a horrible mental condition. When did that point come when this personal identifier stopped being about detox and started being about disorder? How has every day since then shaped the outcome of life? There's a story in all that. A sad one but I keep hoping that the ending is happy.

I guess today friends I am just keenly aware of words and the actions that follow them and how they can create or destroy peace. I am keenly aware of the truth in being careful what you attach your "I Am" to. I am more aware than I care to be about how people stop speaking life into other people and the decline that follows. I wish people would quit being so mean and unforgiving and judgmental and gossipy about each other. Especially when they say they are family, friends, lovers, whatever.

Detox is so much better than disorder but it takes work.

Just something to think about.

Be well until next time friends.