Words are free…. but they’re never without impact.

We use them constantly. To send a text. To answer a question. To vent, to encourage, to explain, to connect. But most of us don’t realize the full weight they carry.

A few days ago, I watched a dad with his young son at a grocery store. The boy accidentally knocked over a box of cereal. Instead of snapping, the dad got down on his level and said, “It’s okay, buddy. Let’s clean it up together… mistakes happen.” The boy smiled, picked it up, and kept walking proudly beside his dad.

No yelling. No shame. Just a moment filled with grace. That dad’s words taught more than any lecture ever could.

Now imagine if he had said, “What’s wrong with you? You’re so clumsy!” The same moment could’ve left a very different mark.

Words can build confidence or tear it down. They can be seeds that grow into hope or thorns that wound for years.

Think about these situations:

• A friend is going through a hard time. Do you say, “You’ll be fine,” or do you say, “I’m here. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
• A co-worker makes a mistake. Do you say, “You always mess up,” or do you say, “We all make mistakes. Let’s fix it together.”
• You’re talking to yourself in the mirror. Do you hear, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m growing. I’m trying. I’m worth the effort.”

The words we speak to others and to ourselves shape how we experience the world. They form mindsets, influence emotions, and determine whether someone walks away heavier or lighter than before.

So today, be intentional.

Speak gently.

Speak life.

Speak like someone’s listening .. because they are.

Random Act of Kindness: Send someone a short message today just to remind them what they mean to you. One kind sentence can echo for a lifetime. Michael Pellegrino
Founder
Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, Inc.