A Hero in Each of Us: The Power of Our Words

I was inspired to write this article from a comment left on one of my hubs.

Do you realize the very words we use each day in our interaction with others can actually lend us to be heroes? In addition to our words, our actions or reactions to others can lend us to be heroes. It’s true. Words and actions can either be used to build up or tear down. It is a choice and we should be mindful of such each day. When we are connecting with others via social media outlets, or in person, we should take great care in the words we write or communicate to others. That famous quote coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, “The pen is mightier than the sword” is so very true. There is also a powerful verse taken from scripture at Proverbs 18:21 about the tongue and that is, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Today’s world is brutal and our children are out there in what appears to be a discouragement wasteland of sorts. Sure, a lot of us growing up possibly experienced some form of bullying by others, but it seems to be at an extreme level in this day. Maybe we are just made more aware of such brutal acts via Internet and having access to so much information at our fingertips. Whatever the case may be, it does not have to be, for each one of us can make a choice.

The following video is a powerful one as it truly depicts what is going on today in this world with our younger generation and how our words and actions can actually save a life. Warning: This video may be triggering. Clips from this video were taken from the following movies:

"To Save a Life" (bullying)

"Thirteen" (particularly disturbing as relates to cutting)

"Charlie St. Cloud" (very inspirational ...about being an older brother)

Do you know whether your words or actions in communicating with others have ever actually saved a life? Well, I know of one right here on HubPages whose words actually saved a life. The following comment, as I indicated above, was left on one of my hubs linked here to the right by newenglandsun:

“Other way around. She's saved me from suicide just by saying something.”

Lissette aka Moms-secret is to whom newenglandsun is referring! Wow, how powerful. I have no clue as to the situation or as to what Lissette’s words were that saved a life. However, I am thrilled to hear of such a heroine among us here on HubPages!

Learn more about the signs and risk factors here:

www.bullyingstatistics.org

The roles we play in our sphere of influence are important roles, whether a parent, grandparent, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, friend, schoolmate, co-worker or whatever role it is, even someone you connect with occasionally via social media outlets or here on HubPages, we have an opportunity to be a hero. We can be such hero in another one’s life by simply making a choice to choose our words carefully and/or actually taking an active role in another one’s life, as the video above depicted.

If you are still in school and see others treating another student inappropriately, do you just walk away and not say a word, or do you take a stand and say what others are doing is not right?

If you are a parent whose child is withdrawn and really does not like going to school, do you know why this happens to be the case? As a parent, we can be so focused on getting things done that we may not take time out to actually find out what is going on in the very lives of our children. Are we contributing to the behavior patterns of our children by constantly pointing out where they make mistakes and never pointing out what good they have actually done in this life?

Discipline is necessary. However, there must be a balance and the child must know that he or she is loved regardless if that child is being disciplined. That must be made clear in the child’s mind or it is possible that he or she will wind up in that discouragement wasteland of today’s youth. There is a fine balance. The last thing we, as parents, would ever want or maybe ever enter our minds, is that our child may actually begin to bully others or cut themselves, as depicted in the video. Sadly, we have all seen this in reality too. Heaven forbid, if a child was so lost to the point of despair and somehow had access to a gun (another whole issue) and brought it to school and we, as parents, had no clue as to our child's mental well-being! How sad, when it could have possibly been prevented. There is nothing more disturbing in my mind for a child (or anyone) to want to end his or her life, or harm others, as a result of being bullied or as a result of any scenario for that matter, especially when no one in that child's or person's life had a clue. Sometimes the signs are not apparent, but the more one is involved in another one's life, even just by listening or offering a kind word, the higher the chances that person lives or dies.

If you are not sure of the signs or risk factors concerning cutting or bullying, please utilize the links here to the right for more information concerning these important facts, which could also help save a life.

Does a hero look like you? If not, it can! Make a choice today and possibly save a life!

Spiderman, Superman and Batman are all fictional superheroes, but the real heroes of this world can be you and I. When you look in that mirror today, make a choice to see a hero, and then be one.

Each day offers an opportunity for each of us to impact another one's life. Choose your words carefully and reach out to those who are hurting.

© Copyright Faith Reaper, January 14, 2014

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." – Philippians 4:13