Words

“Sorry”

What are words? People often take questions like this for granted, until they are confronted with one and grope for answers they do not have.

For a writer, or a communicator for that matter, words are powerful tools to convey something intangible from the depths of the soul. Words are gems that can be arranged and re-arranged to come up with precious objects. On the other hand, words are worthless unless a person understands what they mean.

Which leads me to another question: Where can one find the value of words - in the words, or in people’s head and heart? Where is that point where words become powerful tools – when the writer writes a compelling essay, or when his reader understands and is moved?

The word “sorry” for example – when spoken or written, remains just a five-letter word. But when conveyed and the recipient understands and attributes it to a wrongdoing by the speaker or writer, for which he is now contritely asking for forgiveness, “sorry” comes alive with meaning and impact. And such a single word can mean all the difference in the world, between forgiveness or isolation, acceptance or rejection, holding on or letting go.

But words can be weapons of violence and destruction, too. How different they can be when in the wrong hands. Words can become salve for a broken heart, but can be the very blade to shatter that same heart to pieces as well.

Words, then, are value neutral – depending on who wields them and for what. Yes, meanings are not in words but in people – whether the recipient or the giver. Words are as valuable only as the person who has them and who knows how to put them to good use – like one stringing precious stones in a garland of love, acceptance and understanding.