The following wisdom was put forth in a video I watched when Dave Chappelle sat with Maya Angelou. It was poetry.
“Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Someday we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally into you.”[1]
“Maya Angelou spoke this truth, and it resonated with me. Resonated with me because it’s something we all know is true even if we don’t acknowledge it. We try to pretend our words aren’t powerful; they don’t have something inherently strong in them that make them just as strong as a sledgehammer or food or poison or medicine, depending on how we use them. We don’t want to admit it because it’s scary. Scary to think that every word we say is a thing. A deed.
But the truth is, when we accept this reality, when we go deep within ourselves and admit the power of words when we’re careful with the words we use and deliberate with the way we present them, we have even more power than we had before. A tool is only truly powerful if we’re aware that we wield it.
In a documentary, Bob Marley’s wife, Rita Marley, said that Marley used his words like a gun. She used her hands to make the shape of a gun and indicate how every lyric he composed was a bullet aimed at the injustice of the world. The man was aware of the power of his words and his music, and this guy from this little country, from this little group of unknown religious zealots called Rastafarians, changed the world.
That’s the power we have when we listen to Maya Angelou. When we realize that words are real, that words are things. This isn’t just fancy, mystical talk. It’s a reality.”[2]
[1] http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/706799-words-are-things-you-must-be-careful-careful-about-calling
[2] http://popchassid.com/maya-angelou-taught-language/
Until next time, remember,-
You are not alone.
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You are not your circumstances.
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You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.
is a best selling author, Breakthrough Speaker and Spiritual coach. She has spent the last fifteen years mentoring and coaching those needing direction and support in the areas of life skills, leadership development, effective and efficient communications, and improved self-image. Connect with Tyra to get the support and help you need. Contact Info: Tyra Garlington Email: Tyra@TyraGarlington.com For Bookings and Inquiries: (813) 994-9462 As a Breakthrough Coach, Spiritual Coach and Christian Coach, Tyra offers a variety of breakthrough services including but not limited to: Personal Empowerment Coach :: Spiritual Coaching :: Breakthrough Coaching :: Christian Speaker :: Professional Speaker :: Breakthrough Speaker :: Personal Empowerment Speaker
