Words Actually Can Hurt You; Mason Strong; and... Choose Kindness

“Words kill; Words give life; They’re either poison or fruit. You choose.” ~ Solomon

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Words Wound

On a frigid and icy December night, when I was just twelve, our car was hit head on. Bench seats were a ‘thing’ in those days but seatbelts weren’t, and I was sitting in the middle front.

My almost-teenage life was shattered, along with the rearview mirror that was rammed into my forehead. My emerald green pea coat… a holiday gift… turned dark from blood and red drops splattered onto the snow while I wandered onto the sidewalk crying, “I’m bleeding.” Shock can actually be a blessing. I don’t remember any pain.

My seventh grade classmates nicknamed me Pocahontas, in honor of the large bandage around my head. It hurt. Literally and figuratively. Today, of course, that nickname would be totally unacceptable. I can laugh as I think about that now.

I didn’t handle my new nickname particularly well. You can probably imagine.

Thinking back, I wish I had had the benefit of the internet and science to help me realize that I would eventually…. be ok. And, I wish I had known Wayne Dyer, who would have told me that “What other people say about you doesn’t matter. It’s what you think of yourself that is important.” But when you’re twelve, you don’t read Wayne Dyer. At least I didn’t.

The mishap taught me a few things:

• Bangs are a girl’s best friend (at least for this girl)

• I wish seat belts had been invented back then.

• That saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” It’s not true.

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Words Inspire

In December, 2022, just before Christmas, ten year old Mason Whittington was taken to the hospital with severe flu-like symptoms. It turned out to be leukemia.

Mason in the hospital in December, 2022, courtesy WKYT news.

Intensified chemo treatment caused Mason to lose his hair. According to his pastor, when Mason lost his hair, he also lost his fighting spirit.

“I felt lonely and I wanted to hide,” said Mason. He began wearing a baseball cap.

That’s when friends and family came together to show and prove their support. They had a ‘Shave Party’. Classmates, friends, neighbors….all shaved their heads, with the slogan “Bald is beautiful. Mason strong.”

Mason, surrounded by his friends. Courtesy of WKYT News, Lexington, KY

After the Shave Party, friends gathered in front of Mason’s home, all wearing baseball caps. Mason hadn’t taken his cap off for days.

In an act of solidarity, everyone took off their caps at the same time. “We love you Mason. Mason strong!”

Those words and actions became Mason’s wings. “I’m strong. I’m good. And like, keep fighting,” he said.

Mason has a long journey ahead. His treatments will continue until February, 2025. But his friends’ words will lift him up along the way.

To watch Mason’s beautiful story, click here:

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Two different stories. People responding in two different ways. What we say and do can cause sadness and pain or lift someone up. Choose wisely.

Scientific studies show that both positive and negative words can affect us psychologically and they can have a significant impact on the outcome of our lives.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where words wounded you? Or where you saw someone else wounded, especially someone who was vulnerable?

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May your life be filled with kindness. 💚

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