Gracies Blog

I write because I have to. Not because I have a million amazing thoughts racing around my head that must be written down, or that I have ideas nobody has ever heard, words worth repeating, insights, perspectives or lessons nobody else has learned.  I don’t write because I’m clever, have a way with words or because people care. Nobody’s life depends on it, it doesn't save lives and nor may it change lives.  I have no delusions of grandeur. My life is no more full of things worth writing about than yours. You and I are the same. We do stuff and go to bed. I write because I must. It opens me up, and slows me down. It hands me a shovel and says – here dig. Dig around and see what’s already there, waiting patiently to be found. Writing opens my eyes, and opens my heart.  Writing are my glasses and my pacemaker.  Perhaps you must dance, take photos of bugs, sing quietly to yourself, or cook meals for those you love. It takes courage to quieten the noise, to stop the searching.

Words hurt. Critical, condescending words bury deep inside children and haunt them for years, if not life. I don’t know how serious my runaway thoughts were when I was a teenager, but I certainly had some dark years. My school experience left me with two conflicting and lingering thoughts. No one is going to tell me what I can and can’t do with my life. I had to overcome many barriers to become a public speaker.  Words are powerful. We ALL have a heavy responsibility in the way we speak to kids; parents, teachers, all adults alike. We can either encourage kids to claim their power and live their true life, or we can keep therapists busy helping people overcome damaging words from the past. Thich Nhat Hanh offers this awesome statement about using loving words: Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, I am committed to speaking truthfully and constructively, using only words that inspire hope and confidence. Ask yourself some pointed questions before speaking: