Words: Singular Entries to Meaningful Dialogue

In tribute to the New Year and 2014 resolutions/nerdlutions posted on Twitter and in blogs, I pause to ponder on the effect of spoken and written words. This time, it is with a focus on their contribution or not to personal or professional well-being. Holidays seem to bring out the best and least desirable sides of human nature, depending on the types of situations encountered. Particularly at this time of year, words, by the nature of their tone or message, are singular entries to meaningful dialogue. In my attempt to create spaces to grow as a learner, I decided to carefully listen to others and prudently choose the path I take in response to words spoken. Therefore, I am resolved in 2014 to focus on Number 6 of the Effective Collaboration Norms and Guidelines, Paying Attention to Self and Others.

I have noticed that in conversations, words can be carelessly dropped, causing unbalance and unrest. Responding to such words often affects personal or professional well-being and can lead to future entanglements. Therefore, it is best to actively disregard words that cause disharmony; lift words from conversations that can be transformed; reflect to open new spaces of learning and respond in a positive manner. But this is easier said than done so developing the art of active listening, discerning messages, and using spoken and written words as strategic tools to move toward a more reflective stance as a learner are my new intents.

I actually started this process on New Year's Day while I carefully listened to message presented by one of our parish priests. He greeted the congregation with a message of hope as part of his homily on resolutions to start anew. Reflecting on the word closure and its significance for 2014, he stated, "Open the door to start a new chapter. Leave the past behind. The past is history, the future a mystery." Upon hearing that message, I paused to reflect on the importance of the word closure as a lead in to being open to possibilities. 

Without deliberate action the words, closure and openness, only float in the corridors of the mind.  So, I ask myself what will it be? Will I open the door to meaningful dialogue and discussion by being more conscious of the words spoken by others and myself? Will I bring closure to past situations and see new possibilities? Lastly, will I be more reflective to bring about change and new achievements? 

Words carefully lifted from conversations can lead to multiple avenues of exploration. They can become the singular entries to meaningful, reflective conversations. So what message will our words deliver during 2014? The choice is yours and mine.       

Words are Powerful and Persuasive Tools

Words can inspire, persuade, promote, and bring about change. From political speeches to ordinary conversation, words have been and continue to be powerful communicators of thought. Elegance is often noted in the way some words are conveyed while other strings of words are short, clip, and meant to be pointed. Especially appealing are inspirational words that allow for reflection, introspection, and the creation of extended thoughts.

At the close of each December, columnists, bloggers, and newscasters search for quotes that highlight the year. On August 28, 2013, the 50th celebration of the March on Washington, Twitter and newspapers focused on the powerful words of Martin Luther King, Jr. His words have not only resonated with Americans throughout the decades, but brought change in America.  

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now.

Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. 

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice 

to the solid rock of brotherhood.

Writers use literary devices to craft their written texts, making their messages more potent. King's repetition of the single word, now, presumed that time in history to be momentous and that change was forthcoming. Indeed it was. Fifty years after the March on Washington, at the "Let Freedom Ring" Ceremony, President Obama recognized the power of Matin Luther King's actions and words as a change maker. 

His words belong to the ages, possessing a power and prophecy unmatched in our time...The March on Washington teaches us that we are not trapped by the mistakes of history; that we are masters of our fate. But it also teaches us that the promise of this nation will only be kept when we work together. We'll have to reignite the embers of empathy and fellow feeling, the coalition of conscience that found expression in this place 50 years ago.

Words float, surface, reverberate, and deepen our understanding of various topics. President Obama used the rhetorical device of alliteration to strengthen his ideas and delivery, while Pope Francis in an audience on April 24, 2013, utilized the device of repetition to philosophize on life by emphasizing the word, ideals. 

Set your stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, 

the ideals of service that make your talents fruitful. 

Life is not given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, 

but is given to us so that we may give it in turn.

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani advocate for girls' rights, provided a twist on the word weapons to make her point to the United Nations General Assembly on July 12, 2013. 

So let us wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, let us pick up on books and our pens, they are most powerful weapons...

One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."

Upon Seamus Heaney's death, the New York Times.com stated Heaney was "often called the greatest Irish poet since Yeats." In the poem, Digging, Heaney's use of an extended metaphor furnished readers with a glimpse of a path chosen by the author. 

But I've no spade to follow men like them. 

Between my finger and my thumb

The squat pen rests.

I'll dig with it.

On December 7, 2013, the esteemed American poet, Maya Angelou, honored Nelson Mandela in a video message, His Day is Done. In her tribute poem, Angelou used allegory to give credence to the notion of Mandela as a mighty warrior who freed the South African people. Lastly, at the end of the month, an interesting word arose from the Nerdy Book Club. Recognizing the importance of January 1 resolutions, nerdlutions were created and recognized by the Twitter hashtag, #nerdlutions. It will be interesting to see if this term will become a trend and recognized as one of those game changing words. 

Agreeing there is both beauty and power in words, a nerdlution for 2014 can be to make words compelling tools to inspire, persuade, and bring about change. To give tribute to the written word, Twitter beckons writers to embody a single thought in a mere 140 characters. Visit #nerdlution to find quick thoughts and interesting links to what writers would like their paths to be in 2014. There is no denying that language, whether is is written or spoken, plays a significant role in political, personal, or professional arenas, so note that every person has words within that give voice to new ideas or springboards for future thoughts. 

In 2014, allow your inner writer to come forth. Join me to celebrate the power of language that affects change.