We were at a pizza parlor with two of my friends. As they were calling each other names, as elementary school boys do, she turned to me and said,
Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you.
Never have I ever needed those words more than last night. I was called a name I never thought I’d be called. So bad that I can’t even mention it here. I spent the night boiling my blood and punching him in the face with my thoughts and fists.
The next morning and afternoon were spent no different.
My mom was half wrong (or perhaps Robert Fulghum, the original author of the quote). I know of none who have broken their bones via sticks and stones. But words and sentences are merely a combination of letters with small and large spaces between them.
In other words, they’re nothing. They have no meaning. No emotion. They’re lifeless.
They can only hurt you if you let them.
Dream Chasers is my email list for those who want to be inspired by words (and prevent Starbucks from stealing their money).
—
Previously published on medium
***
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project and want a deeper connection with our community, please join us as a Premium Member today.
Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: iStock
