Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, 
a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia
Yesterday I received a lovely comment from Marcia (Nuggets and Pearls) in response to my post ’40 Days and 40 Nights’.
She finished her comment with the words, “Hang on in there; we’ll look after you” 😉
Those few simple words really touched my heart.
It had been so long since someone said ‘I will look after you’, and I had forgotten just how powerful those few words can be.
As a free spirited and independent type of person, it is easy to forget just how comforting it is to know that there is someone out there with your best interests at heart…with no motivation other than unconditional love and acceptance.
As I re-read those words, I could feel all the stress and tension of the past few weeks fade away as I imagined handing over my worries to another to look after whilst I rested awhile. It was such a blissful feeling and the sense of relief was overwhelming.
I have heard the words, “I will look after you” many times in my life. Sadly, they were rarely spoken by someone who genuinely wanted to take care of me, with no conditions attached.
What they really meant was…’I will look after you…and in return you will look after me.’
They weren’t interested in looking after me at all…their true motivation was in the meeting of their own needs.
Now Marcia and I don’t really know each other very well, but her caring comment was a lovely example of how we Blogging Buddies have connected on such a deep and genuine level, in a relatively short space of time.
As I was contemplating the reason why we have been attracted towards each other, I realised that it is because we are all speaking from our hearts. And when we speak from the heart…we reach to the heart.
When I contacted Marcia to say ‘thank you’, I think she was a little surprised that her caring words could have had such a profound affect on me.
Simple words of kindness, or understanding, can break through the toughest of barriers without us ever knowing the affect our words have had on the other. A well intended comment can turn someone’s life around – if it is delivered at just the right moment.
This experience has served to remind me of the power of our words and to be aware of how easily we can hurt and offend others – as well as uplifting them. Our written and spoken words need to be carefully considered before they are expressed.
How often have we wished that we’d taken a deep breath before speaking…or taken a few minutes to reflect on our written words before pressing the ‘send’ button!
‘Sticks and stones can break my bones
But words can make…or break me!’
Day 42 – 365 Days of Celebration
Today I will be celebrating by sharing only uplifting words with everyone I meet and connect with during the course of the day.
1961 Girl 
I always seem to be up, at the keyboard, as your blog arrives Juls, and I always stop midstream to read what you have to say.
Hear! Hear! A kind word goes a long long way, and it does indeed touch right to the heart. And in the spirit of the balance between giving and receiving, it’s actually very rewarding to be on both ends of that truthful, honest and loving exchange.
We must be synchronising keyboards! The late hours are okay if you don’t have to get up the next morning…but it’s an early one tomorrow 😦
I agree that a kind word does go a long way. And we give and receive…but not always back and forth between the same person…sometimes it moves in a circle instead. Sweet dreams 🙂
The pen is mightier than the sword. xxx
Hi Juls!
I was surprised to see a post from you since it’s must have been sent about 1:30 in the morning your time. Guess I’m not the only one with insomnia at times. Luckily it’s not even 9:00 p.m. here. 🙂
Guess you’re just getting every minute into that Birthay Year!
You’re so right that a kind word can make all the difference. And a thoughtless word can do more harm than you may know.
Happy Birthday Juls, and only kind words for you at least throughout your birthday celebration time!
Very sincerely,
– Bob
A kind word, said at the right time, can mean so much; those words were just what you needed at that time; a smile (even from a stranger), can uplift us and doesn’t it make you feel good to reciprocate? 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi Barb,
A smile can speak a thousand words. An open smile can make your’s and the other person’s day a very special one. It costs nothing and is always returned to you 🙂
I just found your blog tonight, but I had to comment and tell you how much I love this post. Blog friends are the best! I love your writing– I’ll definitely be back 🙂
Hello Jaclyn,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment…and welcome on board my year of celebration! I am delighted that you like my writing and I look forward to seeing you again soon! Best wishes, Juls xxx
Sticks and stones
can break my bones
But words can break
…or make me!
—————–
thanks for that rhyme
– and message 🙂
You are very welcome my lovely. Glad you liked it…and thanks for stopping by to say ‘hello’. Good to know that you are around 🙂
I’m feeling a little coy now Juls, I’m not a lime-light person but have to say I’m really touched by this post – thanks!
You’re right, I really was a little surprised when you thanked me, I do many things without expecting reward or praise, I am just naturally caring, kind and considerate.
You were also right regrading the power of words, as much as mine raised you, a wrong word can have the opposite effect and how often do we dwell on wrong words, they stick with us longer when someone has been unkind or insulting, they can eat away at us.
I’m not perfect, I have already admitted having foot-in-mouth disease because sometimes I say something without thinking. I try not to regret what I say because if I’m speaking my mind I am saying the truth, but now and again it can be a bit cutting – ouch! I’m just honest.
I’m so glad we’ve collided and also feel the same about all my blogging buddies because there’s a common thread running between us all. Here’s to a great community!
Hi Marcia.
As you know, your words had a very powerful effect on me the other day and I am truly thankful for your saying them. We do sometimes say things we regret…often when they are said in haste, or anger. If we are writing from the heart, our words are normally kinder and gentler. The important thing is that you are being true to yourself. Thank you for inspiring my post 🙂
Hi Juls – kind words can make such a difference but when we write, our words may not always reflect what was originally meant. Human contact is sometimes better and fills the void when words fail you.
All the best
PiP
Hi Pip.
Sometimes we do need human contact and the experience of being held and supported in a physical sense as well as a virtual way. Someone to hold our hand, look deep into our eyes and say ‘I love you’, is a powerful and healing experience. A look can speak a thousand words.
Hugs,
Juls 🙂
Words have tremendous power and that is why we must wield them ever so gently… I’ve never cared for abusive, condemning language; especially as our blogs can be a doorway for another soul in distress. I know it is a cliche but there is truth to the phrase… “If you have nothing good to say… don’t say anything! ”
Have a blessed day and the Twitter hop is on; just added it to Leslee’s piece. 🙂
Eliz
Hi Eliz.
Thanks for the notification of the Twitter hop. I will get involved as soon as I’ve understood and properly joined in the Blog Hog. Actually, I have joined…I just have to work out how to access the link…
I totally agree that words have tremendous power and that we need to learn to use them wisely. If we find ourselves writing in anger, best to save the post and revisit it when things have calmed down, before pressing the ‘publish’ button and transferring any negatively onto others.
Best wishes. Juls 🙂
Hi Juls, I learned a long time ago to be careful of what I say or what I write, but sometimes things slip. It’s sad that those are the times that people seem to remember instead of all the good things you’ve said. After all, nobody is perfect! 🙂
Hi Rose. To err is human…and we all slip up from time to time and say something best left unsaid! Words are very powerful and it is easy to forget…or even to be totally unaware of the effect our words may have on another person. And no, we aren’t perfect. Life would be very boring if that were the case! Hope you’re feeling better. Juls x 🙂
This is so true, Julie…last month, I learned that my best friend of 41 years had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After I got off the phone, I was devastated, and told my fiancé the news. He gave me a huge hug, and told me he would do whatever he could to help me through this. Being a very independent person who rarely lets anyone “take care” of me, his words meant a lot to me!
Wendy
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I went through a similar experience with a friend when I accompanied her to hospital to receive her diagnosis. That was probably one of the most emotional days of my life. Thankfully, she was given the all clear following surgery and didn’t require further treatment apart from reconstruction. I will be praying that your friend is as fortunate. Your fiance sounds like a very supportive man. You are very blessed. Juls
I so agree with this post and your comments on blogging buddies. I also have been going through a rough time and my blogging buddies have let me know they are there for me. We have several buddies in common – Barb, PiP, and Rose, and some others (including you!). They are wonderful people who accept us for just being us. Thank you for reminding me just how wonderful all my blogging buddies are.
Thanks for such an uplifting message today. Especially the last bit- ‘words can make or break me’, so much closer to the original saying. Uplifted me after a hard day with my physiotherapist. xx
Hi Kate.
I’m delighted that you found the post uplifting and that you are also feeling the benefits of your day with the physiotherapist! Thanks for stopping by to say hello. 🙂
Thanks Juls, but I meant that I had a horrid day at physio but you’re blog made me feel a little better.
Hello Kate. I’m sorry that you had such a horrid day at physio. I hope that you’re continuing to feel a little better. Best wishes. Juls x
finally got you on my page ! comes up 4 times, i think, but it’s a start!!
Hey…many congratualtions. That’s another hurdle overcome then. If you add a new trick to your book every day, that will be more than 300 new tricks you will have up your sleeve by Christmas! And 4 times listed…how great is that! Now all you need is for your friends to figure out how to read your blog(!) and maybe they’ll pop over here to say ‘hello’ as well.
Juls 🙂
Bless you, it is just so wonderful to read such beautiful things. I too believe that we do so much more when we smile at a stranger or offer a kind word than we can ever realise… keep spreading your unconditional love and kindness. I believe it is catching! Mx
Thank you Marie. I am merely reflecting the unconditional love and kindness that people have shown towards me. We are all mirrors reflecting the good qualites that we see in others. And this would be a wonderful virus to catch! Juls 🙂
Hi Juls!
I’m doing a bit of catch-up and seem to have missed this post. Your words are beautiful only outshone by your smile.
Thank you for such an inspirational place to be Juls. You’re an amazing lady. 🙂
– Papa Joe
Hi Papa Joe.
Such lovely compliments – bless you x
Glad you liked my words and for finding them inspirational. The sentiment is mutual…I love your posts too! 🙂
Thanks Juls. 🙂
– Papa Joe
Golly – so glad you chose that particular quotation. I had always got it wrong. Makes so much more sense now I know the second bit is
words can make or break me. I thought it was Words can Never Hurt me, and I always thought that was crazy!
Jenny…you had the original quotation correct. I changed the words to my own version…glad you liked it 🙂