The Pen is Mightier than the Sword {Kristina Duncan}

by Sam on September 3, 2009

I appreciate words and the people who use them wisely.

Every day we communicate using words. We are so used to it that we don’t even think about it. It has become second nature. Because of this, we have forgotten to respect the power that words can have over others.  It is a power that is easily overlooked; most of the time we don’t see it.  We carry on conversations about mundane topics, the weather, the price of gas, and occasionally some pain is thrown in there (the loss of a pet) or joy (a birth, a birthday, a wedding).  The power lies dormant.

But, have you ever said something to someone that you didn’t mean, in anger, and see the crushed look on their face and the pain in their eyes? The power reveals itself. Or listen to some of the great speeches from history.  Hear the way they speak the words, how they can move people.  It doesn’t matter what the cause is, whether it is for good or for bad.  How they deliver the speech, how they use the words will determine if they can move the people to action.  That is the power of words. People need to remember to respect words. For most of us, words are things that we just use as a means of communication. But, those who know how to use them well, who have a respect for the power behind them and don’t use words lightly, have my appreciation. We should pay more attention to what we say and how we use our words.

Think before you speak.

Kristina

Appreciative Revolutionary: Kristina Duncan (@legalninjaKris)

Bio: Kristina is a freelance paralegal struggling to find a life balance of work and her first love of ballet.  She has recently become addicted to social media and would love to help law firms integrate it into their marketing strategies. In her free time (whatever that is), Kristina loves to curl up on the couch with a good book. Kristina has plans for law school in the future.

Favorite ice cream: Eskimo pies or Ben & Jerry’s Cookie dough.

I appreciate Kristina’s ambition, impressive work ethic, and the way she supports her fellow bloggers as a faithful RTer!

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Tagged as: Advice, Appreciation, Learning, Meaning

  • Agrree. I rather shut up and hang up the phone in heated argument rather continue it and then say something i'll regret forever.
  • Agrree. I rather shut up and hang up the phone in heated argument rather continue it and then say something i'll regret forever.
  • Kristina: I also admire and appreciate those who use words well, whether spoken or written. So many people forget to think before they speak and often don't realize the consequences until it's too late, if ever. This is great advice and I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for being part of the Revolution!
  • Words are a dangerous thing in our little online world, cause they are all we have. I recently ran into this with a friend who wrote some stuff to/about me in total jest. He's a sarcastic little SOB (gee, like someone I know!) and never meant any harm. But you know what. They definitely were not words I wanted to see and things I didn't want to hear. He asked if he hurt my feelings. I said yes. He felt horrible and apologized. We virtually hugged it out. All is better now. :)

    Which I guess is one of the funny things about words. One minute they can make your so angry you're ready to put your fightin' pants on, the next they make everything all better.
  • Kristina: I also admire and appreciate those who use words well, whether spoken or written. So many people forget to think before they speak and often don't realize the consequences until it's too late, if ever. This is great advice and I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for being part of the Revolution!
  • Words are a dangerous thing in our little online world, cause they are all we have. I recently ran into this with a friend who wrote some stuff to/about me in total jest. He's a sarcastic little SOB (gee, like someone I know!) and never meant any harm. But you know what. They definitely were not words I wanted to see and things I didn't want to hear. He asked if he hurt my feelings. I said yes. He felt horrible and apologized. We virtually hugged it out. All is better now. :)

    Which I guess is one of the funny things about words. One minute they can make your so angry you're ready to put your fightin' pants on, the next they make everything all better.
  • Kris: This is a fabulous post! I love how you say there is power in words...Actions speak loudly, but words have a power all their own. They can harm or they can do good; they can make you cry or they can make you smile. Think about it -- we use words in social networking with the likes of Twitter and these blogs, but so often it's revealed that what you say can speak volumes because those thoughts can easily be misinterpreted, misunderstood.

    Words have power. And like anything with power, we have to wield it wisely.

    Terrific post!
  • Kris: This is a fabulous post! I love how you say there is power in words...Actions speak loudly, but words have a power all their own. They can harm or they can do good; they can make you cry or they can make you smile. Think about it -- we use words in social networking with the likes of Twitter and these blogs, but so often it's revealed that what you say can speak volumes because those thoughts can easily be misinterpreted, misunderstood.

    Words have power. And like anything with power, we have to wield it wisely.

    Terrific post!
  • I really liked this post.

    Plato said: If you're going to speak, you better beat silence (I'm paraphrasing here, I read it in spanish!)

    Nice job Kris.
  • I really liked this post.

    Plato said: If you're going to speak, you better beat silence (I'm paraphrasing here, I read it in spanish!)

    Nice job Kris.
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