The Power of Words

As those who read my blog will notice I haven’t posted much of anything new this month, after my initial entries. My apologies.

The problem I have with just putting stuff in there to fill up the space is that I would rather not do it if it is not both creative and positive.

For example, I don’t want to talk about my feelings for a few people in my life that have come to mean a lot to me. These are personal, and I am not in the mood to share them publically. Nor do I wish to vent using my blog. I would rather issue feelings and sentiments of love and strength.

There is plenty of negativity circulating out there in cyberspace anyway, as in the world at large and why not offset it with a shot of love?

The fact that I write for myself every day keeping my journal is the main grist for my mill, and it satisfies the urge to write for the sake of writing.

There is something about the discipline of putting words to page that gives me a feeling of utter satisfaction, and who is to say where this comes from but it has become an integral part of my life over the past 40 or so years.

When I have entered my journal at the beginning of each day, I feel my day has properly begun. It is as integral a discipline as washing my face and saying my morning prayers.

The Sufi teacher Hazrat Inayat Khan not only displayed but wrote about the power of words in his books. He wrote:

Among all the things in this world that are valuable, the word is the most precious for in the word you can find the light that gems and jewels do not possess. In the word you can find an intoxication which no wine can give; in a word you can find a life that could heal the wounds of the heart. - From "The Smiling Forehead" published in 1973 by the Rainbow Bridge Press.

Early on in my life I became aware of the power of words to heal or hurt and I promised myself that I would teach myself to use them wisely. This power is as active in what you say to yourself as in what you express to others.

It is a lesson I am still learning.

Here is a link to some of the writings of Inayat posted on line (thank you brother Wahiduddin):

The Smiling Forehead