I Look Good in Blue (Words Have Power)

I look good in blue.

How do I know?

That’s what people have told me.

That’s how.

If they told me I looked good in red, then most of my shirts would likely be red.

If they told me I looked good in a plaid jumper and a bowler hat . . . let’s not even go there.

The point is, as much as I like to think I am more independent, I am influenced by what others say, by their words.

Words have power over me, including their influence over what color I wear.

If the power of words ended there, this post would end here and we’d each walk around confident in our own stripe of the rainbow.

But it doesn’t, does it? We all know words carry power beyond our wardrobe. We all know words have power to harm and power to heal. Power to motivate and power to cripple.

Let me give an actual example.

I have taught 8th graders in a public school for years. Early in my career, I had the worst class ever. I used my words and I told them so.

You guys are the worst class I have ever had.

Guess what.

They believed me.

They spent the rest of the year proving me right. It was a long year.

A couple of years later, I had another worst class ever. This time I used different words.

This time I told the class,

I think you guys can become one of the best classes I have ever had. I love how you are free to discuss things. I love your curiosity. I love that you question status quo.

Guess what.

They believed me.

They spent the rest of the year proving me right.

They became one of my best classes. The year went much more smoothly.

Words matter.

Words have power.

Let’s find the good words.