Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

I was lovingly reminded at the school pick up Friday afternoon, by my wonderfully clever-writer-friend, who asked when she might expect to read another blog post. I loved her gentle nudge, and when she did I knew what I needed to write.

Her words pushed me into motion, I am so grateful to be surrounded by incredible friends who love me so well.

Earlier that day…

I was walking with lovely friend, it was one of those beautiful bright autumnal days, where it seems as though the world around you is full of light and colour.

We were trudging up a steep incline chatting about various things, and I was saying that I would love to do more for people. That if we were in a better financial position, I’d love to be able to bless people and help them.

I then went on to say that even though I give my time, my words and myself to others, I want to do more. This friend spoke firmly over her shoulder as we climbed, saying that it’s those very things I already do, that matter more.

She told me of how she was sitting on a train after a particularly difficult morning, when she saw that I had sent her a WhatsApp voice note. (I’m weird like that, I love a voice note!) She said that God knew just what she needed, because my voice note lifted her heart as she listened, making her feel better about things.

To be very honest, I can’t even remember what I said in this particular message, it was probably waffly and meandering as they mostly are!

And so it got me thinking… After we finished our epic walk and parted ways, about words again and how they can often have more of an impact than we know.

When I got home, I sat at my desk and began to write. I started another chapter of my book, letting the words pour out of me through my pen and onto paper, remembering again the times when words had the power to pull me back from a low place.

Words.

There have been so many times when words gave me life; a book that let me step into another world for a while, giving my heart room to breathe and to hope again, a bible verse that reminding me of who I am, whose I am and all that I have.

There have been times when a friend said something, that to my soul, was like a desperately needed lungful of air. A message pinging in at just the right moment, a voice note from someone who didn’t know I needed it…

Words are like a superpower, they can create worlds through stories, give love and bring life, restore relationships, they can heal wounds of the heart, can lift eyes above worries, can change the course of a life.

Sometimes we forget how powerful they are.

Words said in anger can cause pain for years, can destroy lives, can break hearts leaving them scarred for a long time.

You have probably heard of the science experiments where they cut an apple in half and place them into two separate sealed bags. The ‘Good Apple’ they spoke kind and lovely words, and to the “Bad Apple’ they spoke horribly. After 20 or so days, the ‘Good Apple’ was still fine to eat and the ‘Bad Apple’ was rotten.

The words had a physical affect on the apple.

What if…

What if you spoke life to every person you interacted with, whether in person or online? What if the words you spoke left those people feeling better, by slipping in a little encouragement into your conversation/text/email?

(I say this to you as much as I do to myself. This is something I can do so much better)

How we speak to others, the words that we say or write, have the power to do So. Much. Good.

Yesterday I took my daughter shopping. When our energy levels dipped, we stopped for a muffin. I said hello to the young guy behind the register and I asked how he was. His response was to say that I was the first person to ask him how HE was for the whole busy morning. He thanked me for asking.

I have to say that this made me feel really sad.

Words can make the world around us a better place. When we are kind and acknowledge someone else as we go about our day, we leave little pieces of light, scattered like glitter behind us everywhere we go.

Another question for you:

How do you speak to yourself? The words we speak in our internal dialogue matters too. Are you being kind when you make a mistake, or do you call yourself names like ‘Idiot’ or worse? I asked my husband how he speaks to himself, he said that he doesn’t really… Until later when I caught him calling himself a muppet.

We all do it, that inner dialogue. Choose your words with care and kindness, give yourself grace. Speak as kindly and gently as you would a child who tried their best. You ARE trying your best, but you’re not a robot! You are human and you won’t get everything right. Be kind to you, with your words.

Your words, whether spoken or written, hold great power. Wield them with wisdom, love and kindness.

– Carrie Baker

As we head into a new week, how will you use your superpower for good?

It was lovely to spend time with you, thank you for coming to hanging out with me!

Love to you,

Carrie xxx