The Power of a Word Sometimes one word of encouragement given at just the right time can turn a persons life around. We may never know or be rewarded the satisfaction of seeing the results of our kindness to others. But when we are the ones that receive that word of empowerment, especially if it comes from our own heart, we can surely feel its power. Just as important as those words of encouragement are the words that enable us to overcome our trials, accomplish our goals and keep us moving in the right direction. “I can”, is more powerful than, “I’ll try”. “I will”, is more powerful still. We don’t get over life’s hills with try but with will and can. Try empowers us to fail as long as we tried. “I can do this”, empowers you to succeed. “I will try to do this”, doesn’t carry as much power and an easy excuse is built in. “I tried, but it was too hard”. What we empower ourselves to do defines us. Our true character comes out when we refuse to fail. One of the places we see this in action is marathons. The vast majority of us have a point in going the marathon distance where we have nothing left. But we finish on the strength of our will, telling ourselves over and over, “Just a few more miles, I can do this”. If you have gone the distance, you understand. If you have started and not finished even after giving it all you had, then you can still come away with your head held high. There is no shame in coming up short when you gave full measure. I have known several brave athletes that kept at it till they finally went the distance. They were not defeated, because they never gave up. It wasn’t that their words were weak, they just had to learn to believe them. Once they did, they were changed forever. We are all stronger than we know. It has been said that a hero will come when a hero is needed. All of us have had opportunities in our lives to be a hero, even if it’s only to ourselves. When we fight to stop smoking, lose weight, break free of addiction, anytime we have fought our way free of that which enslaved us, we are indeed heroes. That courage comes when we can say, “I will do this”. Thanks for reading. Dave
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 11:46:21 +0000