This Blogpost was actually written a couple of months ago, but I wasn't in the right state of mind to post it. I don't know how or what has led me to post this today, but I feel comfortable enough to share this. Hope it makes a difference in your thoughts.
I've always had a love for words.
Words are SO empowering.
Words, said or written, with different words surrounding them, or the tone that they're said in. have the power of creating life and destroying life.
Even the words "I love you" expressed in different ways would have different meanings. For example, these three words used in a dry and dusky tone would make the words have the opposite effect, and the same words said through a person's eyes are a definition of love.
Some rude words, when said in a humorous atmosphere, would loose their rudeness, but the same words said with an unfriendly undertone would make you loose a friend.
Different words expressed differently have different results.
Words can make or break anyone.
My Connection
In my primary school, everyday a student was chosen to read out a "quote of the day". When it was my turn, my father helped me pick one, as he himself has been very fond of quotes. I clearly remember my first opportunity to speak in front of all the students in my school. (On a side note, this was in a Catholic school in India, where "morning announcements" were actually morning assemblies, where all the students sang the national anthem together and then were informed of daily school announcements, followed with the daily prayers.)
The quote that my dad picked for me was:
"Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become actions. Watch your actions. They become character. & character is everything."
Little did that little me know how significant these words were. At that age, I was primarily focused on memorizing them and getting it right on the stage for my morning announcement. However, I haven't been able to forget that quote till now.
Growing up, I formed a fondness for quotes and bits and pieces written by others. I even used to try to write my own quotes in a book (which is probably somewhere at my parent's house). Another thing that happened in my life, which isn't exactly a happy story, is the hard time that I had with fitting in. My family and I moved to Canada when I was just about 10 years old, and just like many other immigrant children, I had a difficult time making friends because I never felt like I fit in. It wasn't even due to language issues, because I had been tested to see if I should take an ulterior route to learn english before the other subjects, but it was simply because of the cultural differences.
This is when my dad introduced books - particularly, novels - to me. My dad said explained how books are a human's best friend, and then the little me went crazy. The first few novels that I bought were from a thrift store called Value Village. And the first novel that I read was the very well-known Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. And to be honest with you all, the ending for that book was very disappointing - sometimes, I think I should give that book another try or maybe not. However, getting back to this blogpost, I started enjoying reading since then. Prior to that it was primarily children's books, such as the Nancy Drew series, but eventually I grew into the new books that I discovered as I read more.
The combination of words in these books took me to various lands and allowed me to get a slight taste of different cultures through them (e.g., the Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis).
Next came the teenage years, where each word said by others either held me stronger or drowned me deeper.
These years made me realize how others' words have an effect on me, and eventually realizing that I need to built immunity against certain words. In particular, the words that tore me down.
With experience of being bullied (which, unfortunately, many of us go through), I know for a fact how much bullying hurts. How much discouragement has an effect on you and your self-development. Which is why I do not ever want to do that to anyone. When I or anyone says "spread positivity," I really mean it. Don't be mean. Even if you think you're just "having fun" or "joking", the receiving end could perceive it as more than just that. Be kind to others. It's so simple. You never know what the other person is going through. Joking isn't wrong, but don't joke about someone. And I'm sure we've all been on the receiving end and it isn't the best place to be.
Also, spreading positivity doesn't mean going around and just being happy about anything and everything. You have the right to be upset, to be unhappy. It's better to be neutral than be negative towards others.
Bookmarks
Even though I've only lives 22 years of life, through my love for words and knowing the effect they have on others, I have created and sold a collection of handmade bookmarks, each with a positive word or phrase written on it. It is to encourage reading so that everyone who reads will get to travel and make new friends from all over the world (and possibly other planets). All the words that I've picked are about loving yourself and being kind towards others. Each one being different represents the authentic beauty that exists between each of us. It's only up to us to change our mindsets and recognize that beauty - within others and within ourselves.
This is really just a short snippet of what my bookmarks are about. There's a lot of excitement and love that went into creating them.
The way you make someone feel says a lot about you. I currently know what it feels like to be invisible, and learning how that feels, I would hate to have someone feel that way around me. Just spreading the message: please do not ever let anyone feel invisible. Listen to others, because everyone's voice matters, because everyone matters - and also because you don't know what everyone's going through.
Be kind, I repeat.
The phrase "think before you speak" also applies here, because I want you to remember the effect that your words would have on others before you let them escape your mouth.
As for these bookmarks, I sold them for a pound each at my workplace where I work with a small team of wonderful women, and I even had the opportunity to have them on display (as in the photograph) for sale at a local town cafe.
I've got many other such posts lined up to share, and as I gain my courage back, I will. Thank you so much for reading this one. Hope you remember to be kind with everyone.
love, kiiranb
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