Lee Marsh said,
"If you think “Sticks and stones will break my bones but
names will never hurt me” is true, then you have not had to endure even
one of the above." That struck a bell for me and made me think.
When I was a child I was taught the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." At the time, I saw the sense of it. Words, being intangible, have no ability to inflict physical harm. Whenever another child said something mean to me, I would loudly recite the saying at them, using it like a magical incantation that would protect me from getting my feelings hurt. I usually said it with tears running down my cheeks.
As an adult, I've come to see that the saying is, like many things taught to children, a lie. The truth is that bones heal, while the damage done by words can last a lifetime. I bring it up here only to remind those who write here of the power they wield. And that is the power to wound with words or use those same words to heal.
So, how will you use your newfound power? Will you be the one who uses words to hurt? Or will you use them to heal? Having been a victim of verbal abuse, I certainly hope you will do the latter.