The Most Powerful Weapon

                Four score and seven years ago, minus four score years, my sister and I were having a dance party in our living room to the one, the only, Hannah Montana.  We were being goofy and were in no way trying to show off our mad dance moves. Well, my sister, bless her heart, was a little off beat. As we danced, I  jokingly told her, “You can’t dance!” We laughed it off and kept the party going.  

                Years later, my sister was preparing for a gymnastics recital, when asked about performing, she said she did not want to. This was a shock. My sister was and is an amazing gymnast. After talking to her more about her feelings towards her inaugural performance, she finally told us what had been bothering her. She has always been really shy, so she quietly explained, “It’s because I can’t dance.” My mom confused at this statement questioned, “Well, who told you that?” Emma looked at me with tears in her eyes, and said, “Shayna.” Hearing my name broke my heart. I immediately got defensive.  I had no idea what she was talking about.  After she reminded me about the dance party we had had years before, I felt horrible. I felt horrible for two reasons: one, for saying it, and two, for not remembering I had said it.

                To this day I could not tell you why I felt the need to say that phrase, but I said it, not realizing the effect it would have on my future best friend. To this day, she still thinks she cannot dance. She is insecure when it comes to dancing. I have seen her stand in the back trying not to be noticed when she dances, and her not dance because she does not want people to laugh.  I have seen my careless words affect her. I have tried to fix my mistake, but the damage has been done. I had no idea that those three simple words would change her life and my life so much.

                
                That experience taught me how powerful words truly are. There are millions of words that are used to communicate. We are constantly reading them, hearing them, and speaking them. With words being so common, I think we sometimes forget the power they contain. Words honestly have the capability to change lives for the better and the worse.  

                It seems so small to tell someone their hair looks nice, or that they have a nice smile, but maybe that is exactly what they need to hear. We never know the impact we can have on somebody else. Just like I did not remember what I had said to my sister, we will not remember all the words we speak, but the recipient will. I remember once hearing the words of Mark Twain. “I can live two months on a good compliment.” That saying has always stuck with me because of the truth it contains.

                Compliments have a positive effect on people. They can change the way people see themselves and others. Giving someone a compliment is not a difficult task and it does not cost any money whatsoever. A genuine compliment is the best gift we could ever give someone. We never know the affect we can have on others with just  a few words. Just like the impact I have had on my sister. Unfortunately, my words were negative, and hurt her for years. However, positive words are just as powerful. Her life could have been different if I had just taken off the ’t and said, “You can dance!” It would not have been any harder for me to say, and it would have made all the difference.

                 We must tell each other how we feel. We must say kind words, and be nice to people. It’s a hard life, and it’s a lot harder when we try to live it by ourselves. We can help each other on our journeys by just saying friendly, simple words. We can have people live months off of our good compliments. I challenge you (and myself) to give at least one good compliment a day. I know that it will change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.