“The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” -Mark Twain, (letter to George Bainton, 1888)
The hardest part about writing Turn Around Tuesday is finding the quote. (Note: If you have one you really like, feel free to send it to me!)
What it is about quotes that make them lasting, memorable, and recited? I think it’s the impact the words make on us as a person when we hear them. In that statement, we are allowed an “aha” moment. Recalling the words spoken later is an attempt to regain that moment. When it is successful, it enters into a different playing field – it becomes “a quote.”
Many times I go through my day and don’t realize all the words I put out there. Banter with friends, time with family, working with clients – there is a lot of information being passed around. Not all of it useful, most of it is good, occasionally it is careless.
The permanence of the word is realized when somebody else remembers yours for you. “Remember when you said…” That can be an powerful moment – hopefully in a good way.
We often overlook how much our words can mean to another person. Today, I make it my mission to find the right words. Not just to convey a thought, but to give back to someone else. Funny thing happens when we speak goodness to others – we get to keep a little of it for ourselves.
Hii April, I love the idea of finding the right words…
A couple of questions to throw into the mix – where will look to find them? and how will you know that they’re the right ones?
Best wishes for your turnaround Tuesday
Joanna
Hi April
Nice thoughts. Finding out others ‘mark’ our words and by that making us aware of the impact they made.
I think you can find ‘them’ everywhere Joanna, when we pay attention, just like our friends did when they remembered ours 😉
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Are you picking on my careless comments? I know you got on me a few weeks ago so I had to ask. I never realize the impact of my words until someone calls me out on them!!!!!
Joanna – that is a great question…I guess you just hope and have good intentions. I know I llok to people who inspire me to get a good guidepost…outside of that, I don’t know.
Karin – you raise a great point about “marking.” I remember the first time my blog received a trackback. Thought it was my birthday.
🙂
Derek – Wow – honestly, I had not considered it. Actually it came about through the difficulty I had finding the quote that moved me at that time and them deciding what nugget of goodness to take from it.
The impact of our words can be one of those things we all overlook. It is a task for most to be conscience of it – but am important one to undertake.