Started this post back in September then never got back to it:
The past few days have been all about Hurricane Irma. Lots of waiting, wondering where the storm would land, worrying if the choice to stay was the wrong one. Thankfully the storm is behind us and we are back to “normal” with next to no damage.
A short conversation during the storm has stayed with me. A family member commented that having to evacuate to a center was “horrible.” I responded that being alone at home with flood waters rising inside might be “horrible,” but being in a safe location with food and water and other people did not sound “horrible.”
And that made me think about all the times I haven’t really considered the words I’ve heard all my life. How many of these offhand comments have I accepted as real and true?
Why the word “horrible” instead of “inconvenient” or “annoying” or any number of other words?
What word gets used when you are trapped alone with rising water or if the shelter collapses?
It made me wonder what impact the words we hear growing up have on how we perceive our world. What does a child learn when the words they hear used to mourn a dead battery are the same ones that are used to mourn the passing of a friend? When minor inconveniences are described in the same way as major catastrophes? When all things are “horrible?”
And where were the words of appreciation that those shelters were open for those that needed them? The words of appreciation for all the people that were helping others get to safety?
How different does the conversation sound when we say we are “thankful” the shelters are open? When we “appreciate” that others have provided food and water. When we are “grateful” for those that risk their own safety to rescue others.
As the year closes, I am reminding myself to be aware and take a moment to think about the words I’m about to say — before saying them.
Photo by Laura Santana on Unsplash
