Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
Our life goes around with words. In every aspect of our interaction, we have basically counted on words to express ourselves as well as our intentions. Of course, it is man’s sole privilege to communicate through words. Bestowed upon us are highly advanced faculties capable of transforming our thoughts into understandable form.
Though reigning as our main channel for communication, it also holds suspect of insidious perpetration of deceit and betrayal. With each intertwining, we are able to convey our feelings and thoughts as well as lies and manipulations. Vested upon words are the capacity to express love and hate, peace and war, praise and curse—anything that contained our minds are transmuted into a consensus of symbol and sounds with clearly defined meanings. But this does not necessarily follows that we mean the words we say, or even understood the words we use; the truth of the matter is we oftentimes use it for cloaking our true feelings and motives. Since words have this double function I have conferred doubt upon the veracity of its expression.
Words have power to affect people in many ways; it can touch and stab one’s heart; it can lull someone to false beliefs and aspirations; it can destroy or support life. Having all these capabilities I wonder if we have put on healthy amounts of cynicism about the words we hear. The question arises: Do we need to rely on words alone? Although this may sound absurd, I have found that the most common source of conflicts arises from our misunderstanding of words.
In this modern era, words have never been on a more profound application. As the world gets smaller because of technological advancement, so is the abusive misuse of words. Those of you who are reading this post rely solely on the written words to get an idea of the person behind this rhetoric. And with this lack on the reader’s part come an opportunity for the author to be either true or dishonest—since some equally important determinants are hidden. However, should I happen to be an idolized person like a celebrity or politician, my words will definitely be more than enough to convince you of what I’m trying to push through.
In the above premise, it should be understood that we should never let words be our sole determinant in extrapolating intentions. There are other more important factors over which we should weigh upon to decipher the truth behind the perceived message. Face to face interaction has always been ideal to maximize our knowing of the message others are conveying. Unfortunately, not all of us are adept at reading between the words. As I have said, words are not enough; we should put into consideration physical manifestation that goes with words. It is my belief that actions do speak louder than words; following this maxim we might as well read one’s action than focusing much on what’s being said.
In reality though, we cannot have the convenience of having always conversing with someone face to face. The spirit of the times more favors the exclusivity of words in getting our message across—thanks (or not) to the breakthroughs in communication. Today, more than any time in history, humans are able to communicate with each other without the barriers of distance and impossibilities. We are able to get our messages through a thousand miles in a matter of second. Through words we are able to: make friends, make enemies, fool someone, help someone, share wisdom, perpetrate fallacies, build trust, destroy credibility, speak the truth, and proliferate lies. Consequently, these advancements in communication technology have spawned confusions about the others’ true intention; it has prevented our opportunity to read beyond the words. How then can we solve this shortcoming of words? The only solution that comes to my mind is to verify! With so many interactions we have everyday—commonly over the wire—we should never limit our judgments on words alone, this would make us gullible. The character behind the words should be verified, his/her truthfulness we should never be afraid to question. There are ways on which we could make verifications. On my part I employ research, or get some feedbacks, or seek the counsel of my experiences as well as others’; or perhaps plainly using my common sense (some of us fail on this simple virtue for deducing the truth). I do not mean to be pessimistic in tackling the negative aspects of words, mine is to express precautions, so as to protect our interest.
Going on the positive side, I still hold my claim of never counting on words solely, especially in expressing concern to the people we care. It is an error to believe that our sensible expression of words will suffice in conveying our honest feelings. More often than not, words have the tendency to be misinterpreted, especially if the context is perceived differently by both parties. I believe that words and action go in dyad. A simple “I love your Dad” or “I love you Mom” or “I love you Sweetheart” will sound incomplete unless we partner it with gestures of sincerity, like a hug or a kiss.
In parting, I hope you will not readily believe in the words that I’ve expressed here. My words are just my reflections about my experiences in life. You will be the filter of this message. Unless you have tested my herein stated principle, there is no way of knowing the truth about my words. Should you do, I will always remember the imperfection that I am.
“Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself.”
–Mark Twain
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Life is full of questions but I have found answers in perusing the books: The Road Less Traveled, Man’s Search for Meaning and The Power of Now, these has given me light on the deepest nature of man. Still, in searching for ways of enhancing my life I have found: Think and Grow Rich, The Magic of Thinking Big and Thick Face Black Heart. In matters of understanding my mind I was greatly enlightened by the suspense filled novel’s Way of the Peaceful Warrior, A Rich Man’s Secret and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. And finally, I have understood the pattern of my finances through reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.
Everything we wish in life will come upon us if we first seek the wisdom of knowing.
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You are right…words can be weapons or tools of peace. What’s more, they can be easily misunderstood based upon an individual’s perception in the moment or (even less reliable) their perception of the speaker. Words can wield incredible power. You note Frankel’s work: Man’s Search For Meaning is one of my favorites.
Though oftentimes we hope that words are enough, our differences makes it impossible our interpretation of what we hear.
I’m glad Frankel’s book is also a favorite of your.
Words can never do justice to one’s full intent; however hold power that has expressed emotion regardless of time or place or distance between people. I try to build my vocabulary continually in an endeavour to be better able to express myself, my thoughts, feelings and emotions, and do love the English language dearly. But you’re right – it seems the world is becoming ever-smaller, and communication is becoming more and more brief as lives become busier and busier, and messages confined to 140 characters or less are rapidly becoming the way in which we communicate, via text message, Facebook or Twitter… kudos to you for recognising the importance of the intent, gesture and spirit behind that which is becoming ever more limited.
Emily Jane´s last blog ..How Badly Do You Want to Keep Those Resolutions Anyway?
Thank you Emily. Up till now I am continually expanding my vocabulary for the same reason that you have stated. However, the more I learn about words, the more I know about our different interpretations of it. Thus, I have written this article.
Great Article Walter,
I rely on this saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” A person can “tell” you exactly what they want you to hear, but their “actions” will tell what is truly in their hearts. I totally agree with what you’ve written here. Thanks for discussing the this concept deeper.
oops sorry. I meant “Thanks for discussing this concept deeper.”
Patrenia´s last blog ..The Day We Turned Our Financial Lives Around…
While words are certainly a powerful means of conveying thoughts and ideas, you’re correct that the thoughts and ideas being CONVEYED are not necessarily those that are RECEIVED. Sometimes context is lost- context that can be corrected with congruent action. Action is like a built in redundancy for the words we use- if the words don’t completely send the message- then the actions help us fill the gaps. Like a picture then, couldn’t an action be worth a thousand words?
Reilly´s last blog ..Improve Your Life- Even If It Kills You 
Thanks for nicely deciphering my post’s message here. And for your question, I believe that words and action should go in dyad.
Hi Walter,
Happy New Year to you! It is amazing to me how often people say things without thinking before they speak. People toss out thoughts and comments without any regard for how they will be received or understood.
When I was in law school, it became very clear to me that any given situation can have twenty different perspectives and that each person holds a different understanding of a definition of a word. So two people can use the same word or phrase and hold two very different interpretations.
We have to be conscious when we communicate to people and you are so right, gestures accompanied by words speaks volumes!
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
It is said that we should think twice before we speak once. Like what you’ve said, we mostly talk without thinking first. I guess it has been an automatic response for us. Communication has many forms but they are not in itself effective to clearly send our messages, they must be all applied and must be consistent with each other.
I have tended to speak without thinking once! I guess that’s why I defensively made up the saying, “If you are going to stick your foot in your mouth, shove it all the way up to your knee!”
Dr. J´s last blog ..Working out with WiiFit, and antioxidants in applesauce 
Hey Walter – This is a valuable post. Words can not be treated as a form of supreme communication as there is no possible way for a flawless transmission of meaning to take place between two individuals. Having an instinctive distrust of words seems to be the only reasonable solution in order to avoid misunderstandings, manipulations and receiving false messages.
Earl´s last blog ..A Decade of Wandering Ends, Another One Begins (Part 2)
I agree with your response here Earl. We should always be wary of words. They are in themselves incomplete to convey true message.
I had the opportunity to hear R. Buckminster Fuller speak on the effects of language in reflecting and forming how we think and view the world. That day changed my life as to how I view the power of words!
Words are indeed powerful, but oftentimes we need not to trust it solely.
I am in total agreement with you about the subject of this post. We don’t give enough thought to what we say. We speak before we think and it can be devastating.
When I was a teenager, my mom asked me to read Proverbs chapter 18. Ancient wisdom about the use of our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” and “A fools mouth is his ruin.”
Thanks Walter for tackling this topic head on in an intelligent fashion and bringing to light a much over-looked subject.
Erin´s last blog ..Opportunity
Thank you Erin for sharing some enlightenment by means of a bible passage. We should always be aware of our foolish and fast slashing mouths.
Walter,
You are right, you remind me of that phrase: “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say”
At the same time, in some context, there are too many words, for example, in some posts by some bloggers!
It seems that the goal is to keep the reader reading and reading, even when the idea could be expressed briefly.
Good post, Walter!
You’ve got a good observation Boris. Such observation has prodded me to write this article.
Hi Walter,
You and I must be on the same wave length for the new year as “words” was the topic of my first post for the year, too. Great minds,…eh?
Knowing our words can be easily misconstrued, I try to be very careful how I word things as I certainly don’t want to word something incorrectly and unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. That said, I’m sure there have been times and there will be more times when I don’t always succeed.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Mind Your Own Business, Or Not?
I was also surprised about our subjects. Perhaps it is the perfect time to share our thoughts about the influence of words.
Great post! I would agree that words are sometimes not enough. We do need to back up our talk with meaningful actions.
I also believe-when dealing with relationships-action is not always enough. Some people need words of affirmation and compliment in order to feel loved. Thanks for sharing!
Ralph ´s last blog ..Free Copy of “The Quick Confidence Guide” for P2S Subscribers!
Right you are Ralph. Words are just one part of communication and it’s not reliable on its own. We have to consider other factors.
Very well written. It is said that words alone is the least effective way to communicate.
Mark´s last blog ..Solving Problems
Thank you Mark. Your point should always be remembered.
Hi Walter,
Words are the single most effective means of communication we have partly because they can be used in print, text messages etc.
But as you point out they can be misused (as in not using the correct word to convey a proper meaning), misunderstood and used for manipulation and propaganda.
Words are not always adequate and cannot express everything even if they are used with good intentions.
Since we use words when thinking, they can even limit our thinking and our understanding of things for which there are no words.
Actions do speak louder than words but even there there is a potential of manipulation. Good actors can fool us quite easily.
So I’d say that it’s the combination of everything we have at our disposal to gather information,including words, that will give us the best picture of what we’re looking at.
Vance
Vance Sova´s last blog ..Get Blog Traffic Increase With Blog Comments
You hit the mark here Vance, the combination of everything is the best way to gather information and gain understanding. Thanks for sharing this important wisdom.
I like the way you see filters as a positive thing and encourage us to run messages through our own filter.
Each of us are unique. We should not believe all the things that we hear, instead we must analyze them deep within ourselves to know its worth.
Blogging is all about collection of words which comes from your heart to express your knowledge.
neelmoney´s last blog ..Make Money Online With Website Flipping
I confirm this point.
Here’s my take on it, Walter.
We pretty much have three things we can use to determine a person’s intention. We have words; we have sight; we have sound. Sure, there’s touch, but if we go around touching each other someone’s either going to end up beaten up or in jail.
Let’s take this blog post, for instance. You have an image at the beginning, but all it says is “words”; that conveys the topic of this story is going to be about words, but doesn’t say anything else. You don’t have sound. You don’t have any other images. So, all we can go on is your words. If you couldn’t have conveyed to us your thoughts on this issue by what you typed, then there would have been no communication at all, since that’s all you could offer us.
So, the way I see it, sometimes words almost have to be enough, and what that means is that we, the ones using the words, have to be cognizant of what words we’re using when we’re trying to get across what we have to say. That can be difficult as more people around the world are learning languages like English without knowing the slang, and without realizing that we, especially we goofy Americans, can take one word and give it 20 different meanings, depending on our age or where we live around the country.
But look at the people who commented on your post here; could you say that your words, and only your words, weren’t enough to communicate your feelings so that they were understood by everyone? I think you did a fine job.
Mitch´s last blog ..Subtle Tech Racism
Point well taken Mitch. More often than not, words is almost enough. But we should always be a bit observant of the true message being conveyed. Thank you for your contribution on this.
[...] Walter at LionSlinger writes about Words are Never Enough. [...]
often times,words that are not followed by actions are often hollow such as “I’m sorry”. After about the third time, it’s truly meaningless unless you’ve done something with your actions to show me you are trying to change
I agree with you Jessica. Words may oftentimes be a suspect for dishonesty. Actions are necessary.
I like what you said about, “In reality though, we cannot have the convenience of having always conversing with someone face to face.”
This true and true it be is why it’s so important to readers of our blogs to some how form the notion that we are real behind our words and if we express this in some form or another we, again using words, in a way, show that to be true.
Eric´s last blog ..The Way I Blog With Ease
In the vastness of cyberspace words are our major means of making a voice. So it’s important that we are honest with our words.