Words

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The written word is such a powerful thing. Words build up, encourage, give hope, express love and communicate powerful and life changing messages. They can also be incredibly destructive and hurtful. Whoever said “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”, was clearly living in denial. Words have the power we choose to give to them.

I’ve said before that for me, honest writing is the best kind. But even honest writing must serve a purpose. I heard this song recently and it really resonated with me. Our words should be about more than just spilling our guts and airing our dirty laundry for the sake of being “transparent” or “real”.

Secrets (by One Republic)
I need another story
Something to get off my chest
My life gets kinda boring
Need something that I can confess
Til’ all my sleeves are stained red
From all the truth that I’ve said
Come by it honestly I swear
Thought you saw wink, no
I’ve been on the brink, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I’m gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don’t need another perfect line
Don’t care if critics never jump in line
I’m gonna give all my secrets away

My god, amazing how we got this far
It’s like we’re chasing all those stars
Who’s driving shiny big black cars
And everyday I see the news
All the problems that we could solve
And when a situation rises
Just write it into an album
Singing straight, too cold
I don’t really like my flow, no, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I’m gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don’t need another perfect line
Don’t care if critics never jump in line
I’m gonna give all my secrets away

Oh, got no reason, got not shame
Got no family I can blame
Just don’t let me disappear
I’mma tell you everything

So tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I’m gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don’t need another perfect line
Don’t care if critics never jump in line
I’m gonna give all my secrets away

Our words should serve a greater purpose. There needs to be a point to our stories–even if the point is simply to point out our shared expereinces as a means to feel connected to one another. Otherwise, what’s the use? We might as well shut it down and watch reality television 24-7.

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