Words Matter

Words matter. Whether we are teaching our children to share or not to share will impact them for their entire lives. What we learn is how we live.

There are differences from person to person. That is one of the things that makes us such a good country. Our diversity. We use words to define who we are and what we stand for. The way we use those words has created divisions among us. The words we choose to define us can be positive statements about what and how we feel. Or they can be negative statements that attack or degrade others. It is those negative statements that have created our divisions.

The use of negative words has lead us to the greatest divide I have ever witnessed. It is bad for us, Oregon and the USA. We do not have to change the conversations we are having, but in order to Grow Together we do need to change our use of language to a more positive tone.
Words matter. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. While doing that work we can create a positive space to analyze the issues or we can choose to keep the same path we are on. When listening, positive words do not put us on the defensive. Then it is easier to hear and understand what the other person means. I will work to change how we talk to each other. I have already realized how difficult it can be. It is easy blame and put others down for their beliefs. It is really hard to take the time to think about what needs to be said and use words that are not confrontational. Words that can actually heal our divide.

We have so much in common, we need to focus on that as we move forward. Let us work on the things we have in common with positive non-blaming statements. Over time this will make the harder conversations easier.