words.

they're everywhere. this blog post is filled with them. that music you have playing in the background, filled with words. the tv yells them at us. the billboards and advertisements are filled with them. they're everywhere. books. movies. signs as we drive.
kind words. harsh words. small words. hurtful words. bitter words. lovely words. long words. funny words. joyful words. sad words. lonely words. informative words. swear words. the list goes on. and on.
and we just don't get it, do we?
you know that saying? the one that says, 'sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me'? how wrong is that?
words cause rifts in relationships. misunderstanding to spring up between friends. they're never forgotten. they can be forgiven, but not forgotten.
i've been told i'm worthless by people who claimed to be my friends. i've been told by people i care deeply for that nobody could ever love me.
sure, it wasn't physical pain, but there are scars and repercussions from their words.
you may be wondering why i'm saying this. and here's why: i recently ran into one of the girls who called me names at the grocery store. i was there getting milk for my mom with a friend. she looked familiar, but i couldn't put my finger on where i'd known her from before [she's probably about 3-4 years older than i am, so i didn't know her well]. she came up to me and said, 'lia, right?'
i said yes.
she said, 'oh. my. gosh. wow.' there were tears in her eyes as she continued on, 'i've been praying that i could see you again. i was in a really bad relationship a few months back and he told me i was worthless and that i would be alone forever. i left that night. i was so hurt and broken by his words and swore that i'd never tell anyone what he told me.' by this time she was crying. 'but then i realized. i already had. i told you so many years ago that you meant nothing to people. i am so sorry. i know that it will never take away what i said, but i apologize. if i could take all of it back, i would in a heartbeat. you are so loved by everyone. believe me, i'm so incredibly sorry.'
i just hugged her and said it was okay.
i forgave her.
i forgave her.
when i went home that night that's all i could think of. how good it felt to have that anger and hurt off my chest and to be able to look at the world through a new pair of eyes. a pair of eyes that have seen how just a few words can change everything and how a few more can make all the difference.
so with this post i pledge to watch my words and remember the effects they ave on people - good and bad.

after all, once said, they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.

[listening to this.]