Words Are Things

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.” Dr. Seuss

I read Oh The Places You’ll Go to my daughter before bed the last few nights. It is one of our favorite stories.

The story goes that life is about trying new experiences and will be full of twists and turns no matter where we go in life. And some of those twists will lead to slumps and challenges all alone in the unknown whether we like it or not.

We have been trying skiing together, and one of the things she always says to herself before she tries something new is “ I can’t.” A natural response to the unknown in a story of fear.

Being a poet and loving father I thought to myself, how can I explain this to her while validating her fears rather than trying to tell her to do it or get back up after she falls.

So we read Dr. Seuss after skiing in hopes of showing her the twists and turns of life. Each time we read, I feel like I learn more as I watch her face light up with curiosity and passion while she asks questions about the story.

Words are things.

No matter how big or insignificant they may see, words can impact the way we show up to the world. And while our words adapt with life and mean different things as we grow, they also lead to choices that decide where we go.

And so, to live life, we must learn to embrace the full spectrum of experiences it offers. We must learn to choose better words.

As a parent, I find it challenging to be mindful of my words when I am with my daughter in the heat of the moment. I sometimes react rather than respond and am seeing how it influences our relationship. 

I’m learning the value of taking a moment to sometimes not say anything and let her figure life out herself, but to also own my faults when I say something that comes from a quick reaction out of fear or judgment.

In the end, if we are defined by the words we say, I want my words to foster a sense of trust within our relationship, so she knows the words she says to herself matter more than she thinks. 

Words will take us where we want to go, and sometimes they won’t
but that doesn’t mean you are alone in the unknown
it simply means words are things, and sometimes 
you have to believe in what you cannot yet see

Till next time

George