Words hold so much power. Whether we say them or receive them – they have the power to harm or heal. People in the past have said this old adage and have tried to stick to it, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". Is this true? Can people really say anything to you without consequence?

I used to think so when I was younger. I kind of brushed off people's rhetoric and criticisms of my life. Just because I did things out of order – like having my kids before marriage or sinning differently than them...they thought they were better. It didn't matter to me, to me we were all on the same footing. I began looking at every person as a mirror and if I saw something in them I didn't like, I more than likely hated that thing about myself. Thinking about the people that approach you, be they friend or foe as a mirror causes you to slow down and think about the things you say and your actions. If they are a reflection of you and you are dishing out some ugliness towards that person, it's pretty much coming back at you. You are essentially talking to yourself.

Remember the Golden Rule, "Do to others as you would like them to do to you."

Take it to heart.

There was a time when I thought I was strong enough to take people's criticisms of me. I used to say, "You have every right to say anything you want to me." but would always follow up with – "Just don't touch me." Clearly, that was a warning to the offensive one that I didn't receive his words well. Some would push with "so what are you gonna do if I do touch you". No one but my sister ever crossed the line and that was when we were younger. Usually, when people perceive a threat, they go on the offensive, even if they are the ones in the wrong.

In this day and age, people will hurt you and act as if you were the one that hurt them! It's an ass-backwards society where people think they can get away with any and everything. I come from a place where people do this and then want to say "I was just playing". They succeeded in their insult but don't want the consequences that accompany it. But you best believe that when the bully retells the story they are always the victim in the situation.

I wanted to talk about the power of words for a little bit because school has started for my daughter. Bullying is an epidemic and she was on the receiving end of it in middle school. This is her second year in high school and while she assures me that none of this is going on...that people accept her "weirdness" as she likes to call it, I can't help but to worry. My daughter is different from her classmates. Sometimes she's the social butterfly and other times she's the little girl I have to pull out of her shell. Much like her mother...I thrive in certain situations and shy away from others. I know what this world does to kids and adults and it's a cruel thing that happens. When someone has been bullied for so long, they retaliate and not in the best way.

There was a situation at my nephew's school, 2nd day of school a kid brought an air soft riffle to school with a live round in it. His intention was to end the bullying that he suffered at the hands of the football team that he was a part of. They were hazing him and he couldn't handle it. I don't know of any kid that can handle being singled out and made the punching bag for others. This kid was clearly upset. So rather than question the football program, the superintendent removed the young man from the district. I don't know if any charges have been brought but the concern of the students took precedent and rightly so...that's what they call clear and present danger to the students and coach. But, they kids got off scott-free about the bullying. My nephew...when I asked him about it said, "It's 2016, bullying doesn't happen anymore!" Bubble broken.

Bullying doesn't just happen amongst kids, it happens amongst adults too. In the workplace, in the home and elsewhere like the gym or any place where there's a social gathering. It's just as hard to deal with for them as well.

You wouldn't believe the things I've heard people say to me and then try to cover their asses after the fact. Particularly when they think they have some information on you...like it's meant for them to try to use against you.

I'll give you an example: When I was hospitalized a few years ago due to a schizophrenic episode I experienced some bullying. Yeah! Not by the nursing staff, not by the doctors but by another couple of patients. They happened to overhear my diagnosis while I was being placed in a room and undergoing administration. Later when I had finished, a young man began making remarks about me being psycho. He would ask, not out of curiosity but to be able to make fun of me, who was I hearing at that moment...him or someone else. A young woman, did much the same except she'd make me feel bad for having schizophrenia, as if it were something I chose. I didn't say much except that I didn't have a choice in the matter. And then came the ...well if you were living your life right, you wouldn't have it.

Yes, we were both admitted in the same mental hospital with similar issues. She made it sound as if being depressed was better- like she was better than I...when we were clearly on the same footing. We were both out of control and needed extra help. This was the most insane thing I had experienced at that moment. How can another degrade and talk about someone else that you're in the same boat with? People never cease to amaze – and to that – I had a nurse speak life into me. When she saw that I had withdrawn from the group activities and didn't socialize much, she told me that she saw what had happened and told me that I was stronger than that. Not to let someone else bring me down or break me. That we all have our issues and none of us is above the other. That I was there because I recognized the need for help and that I was getting it. Now to be fair, I hadn't checked myself in that time – my family did because I couldn't do it myself but I was thankful to be there getting some help.

But when was the last time you spoke life into someone? Or someone spoke life into you?

Words and even more so, actions are powerful things. What you say to someone will be thought of and how you treat someone will be remembered. It's just like that for us humans. We may forget a name, we may even forget a face – but for some reason we remember the experiences we have with people. They sit with us.

I have had several encounters with people that know their power, both good and bad. But I like to focus on the good experiences. They make me smile and feel good and thankful for knowing that there are those that care.

There are words in the English language that are designed to give you a specific feeling when you receive them. On the bad side words like: worthless, broken, damaged, stupid, retarded, odd, lame, disabled, strange, weak, pathetic, pitiful, trashy, queer, damned, idiot and failure...if you have ever been called one of these words you know how much they can hurt. Some of us try not to let that hurt infiltrate our lives – after all they are just words. But it's often the speaker of the words that does more damage than the word itself.

I've even had "anonymous" people call me names and insults...while I didn't know that person, those words still hurt and I had to charge myself with letting it go. See...what you need to remember is that those people don't know you. They don't know your character, your heart or your spirit because if they did – they'd have known better. They'd have known that you are a force to be reckoned with – not because you can fight but because you are a fighter. There's a difference. Being able to fight is to defend yourself against another, often in a violent way, it's an action, a verb. Being a fighter is being able to get through the things that come your way, it's a person, a noun. Being able to do something and being something are two different things. You may not always be able to fight physically but you are a fighter because you manage to get through the conflict.

On the good side though, words like: fighter, beautiful, humble, loving, forgiving, helpful, creative, balanced, intelligent, glorious, rich, determined, inspirational, go-getter, triumphant, winner, truthful, dreamer, worthy, powerful...can lift a person up and out of their despair.

The things you do can have the same effect on another person. Saying hello, holding a door, smiling, laughing when something good and funny comes your way, showing your gratitude for the things people do for you, expressing your joy in the things you do. Not just telling someone you love them but showing them you love them.

I want to speak life into you today. So much of our world is ugly and dismal but if there are enough of us with a light to shine in this dark place – we might be able to light the way for others. So I want to speak power into you today.

First, you are not alone. You are never alone. There are thousands of people like you who are going through something tough, bad and all out horrific. Trouble doesn't just pin point one – it finds many and does its damage likewise. But don't let this be a deterrent for you to live your best life. Sure it's hard, you may not have money, you may not have a job, you may not have a lover, husband, boyfriend...etc. But what you do have stands in the reflection of that mirror every day that you stand there in front of it. You have you! And you are worthy of love! You are worthy of good treatment and awesome things! To be completely honest with you – I don't have those things either. I'm not rich, but I am wealthy in spirit and in character, I don't have a job but I am a writer and a mother and that takes up most of my time, I am divorced, single and without a man to spare...but I have love! It's all in how you look at it.

Sure I wish for a zillion dollars on a daily basis with wishes on shooting stars to win the lottery only to have God laugh at my requests...lol I think he knows that I'd be a handful with riches – I already am and I have close to nothing but that's okay! Should he decide that I am ready for it- then I will be ready for it by his hand. I desire to make a career out of my writing and I see that underway, once I stop being afraid to take just another step, this can happen. And as unlucky in love as I am, I still desire companionship and that's not really out of my control. I guess I just need to be present in social gatherings more...lol I laugh because, whenever I "grace" a party or gathering with my presence – I am often holding up a wall or sitting in a group of talkers being the silent one. I like to observe. But nonetheless, I am not without the things I desire, I just have them in a different way.

So to you, I want to say this – you are amazing, unique and beautiful all on your own. Find friends and people that compliment (bring out the best) you. You are a creation unlike any other, wrought by the master craftsman...Mona Lisa's smile has nothing on you! You are such an intelligent soul and have a wit like none I've ever seen! I've known of geniuses but that thing you created with your own mind, with your own two hands – Brilliance! And let me tell you how fetching you are...I have already?? Well let me continue, your eyes are the missing color of the rainbow that would give it a new visage – your hair is the radiant crown that ought to adorn your head and your smile and that walk – no wonder I'm so enamored with your beauty. Am I pouring it on thicker than molasses? Good, because I mean for it to stick! I want you to know that you are priceless and are worth the things you seek.

There is no one like you and there never will be. Live in this moment, love this moment and feel this moment. All that is around you is meant for you. Sure there is trouble swimming around in there too – but it can only build a stronger character for you and be listed as something you've experienced. Hey, Exp. Points are good things, they give us stories to tell and wisdom to relay. Nothing that happens in life is designed to make you fall, everything about this life is designed to see you rise above it all. Keep that in mind.

Lastly, for all of my endearments and compliments....I truly mean it. Life has a way of presenting itself to us as this elaborate gift in the disguise of a villain. If we strip it down to see it for what it is, we would see the jewel at the center of it all. Life is a giver that doesn't know anything but abundance. We cry we don't have much, but we fail to see the increase in all that we do have. Behind the struggle there is a reward to be earned, behind the loss there is a lesson to be learned and behind the lies that people toss at you there is the undeniable truth.

I insist, you did not come this far to be given up on. Everything about you is what the world needs right now. So if you are ever made to feel like you are nothing, look at yourself in the mirror and list all the things you are made up of. You are a being made of wisdom, of hope and of love. And those are some pretty strong ingredients! You are not watered down you are concentrated in every area of your life. Keep your head up and heart open for those moments that would strengthen you. The love you give, will be the love you receive. I promise.

It all has to start somewhere with someone right? Let it begin here. I love you! I don't know you but I love you. I'm of no relation to you by blood and we only see each other every once in a while but it doesn't stop the love I have for you. I pray for you and over you. I want to see you strengthen and increased in a way that you can't even deny it yourself.

So this is my closing prayer –

May the God of hope and mercy rest on your souls. May he reveal his glory in you and let his love abound through you. May you know that the author of love, healing and hope has written the journey you embark on and that your feet are set on the paths of success. May you always know "North" by your heart's compass and May light and happiness fill your days from here on out. Be not just fighters in this world, but warriors of life and truth.

Until next time, as always I thank you for reading!