Just Words

I've been thinking about words and the power they hold. I've been thinking about how that power influences my life. How sometimes the words flow so smoothly and the picture comes together. And, how sometimes I struggle to find the words to adequately express myself.

I think about the words that have become labels in my life. How I allow those labels to define me. I reach for the words to redefine myself and change those labels. Sometimes that is easy for me, sometimes it's not.

In truth, I would like to cast off the labels, but life doesn't really allow for that. Without the labels I would be left with the question, who am I? So I learn to manipulate the words that form the labels.

Some labels I have worked hard to wear. I want to embrace those labels forever, there is comfort and security to be had in them. Some labels were given to me and were appropriate at the time. When they are no longer appropriate, they fall painlessly by the wayside.  Always to be replaced with something new, something more appropriate for the circumstances.

Some labels I never wanted and refuse to acknowledge. Unfortunately, just the suggestion of those labels is enough to influence and change me. Often I run from those labels because facing them is too hard.

It's good to remember that labels are just words. Words have power, but words can be manipulated. Context can be changed, usage can be altered, control of the power can be harnessed.

I'm learning to take control, harness the power of the words. I'm learning to use that power to walk past the labels. I'm learning to change the context of the words, to use them to redefine the labels.

Words have power.

Thank you all for sharing your words with me, for lending me your power. I will use it wisely, I will redefine myself and create the labels that I want to live with.