Creating Life with Your Voice
~1 minute and 9 seconds read
A note before reading: this blog uses teachings from Buddhism and Christianity to make a specific point. I don’t believe you have to be religious to benefit from it- and can instead view it as ancient wisdom.
Vedic and Judeo-Christian teachings both suggest that our world began with a sound or voice. This origin creates a sacredness around sound and our voice/speech.
Because of this, these ancient traditions suggest how we should use this power. In Buddhism, for example, there is the idea of “Right Speech.” The are four tenants: (1) abstaining from lying (2) from divisive speech, (3) from abusive speech, and (4) from idle chatter.
Proverbs 15:4 says, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness breaks the spirit.”
These teachings weren’t given with punishment in mind. They aren’t saying, “don’t speak badly, because if you do you’re going to receive punishment (re: hell).” Instead, they are intended to help relieve you of your own suffering. 'Wicked speech’ brings suffering to you, not merely others.
Your words can create life or take it away. You can change someone’s life forever by speaking truth, encouragement, and love to them.
I remember sitting in history class senior of high school, and one of my classmates telling me he thought I’d be the most successful person in our grade. That stuff sticks with you. It drives me to this day. It encourages me to this day, 6 years later.
It’s so simple. So so simple. If you admire and believe something good about someone, tell them, affirm them.
You can be the person that gives someone confidence to pursue their life’s purpose.
We don’t have to spend our time in meaningless conversations, gossiping, or using hateful speech.
(This also applies to how you speak to yourself. I recommend literally speaking aloud to yourself every day to affirm what is true and good about you.)
Create life and love. I believe in you and love you ;) ♥️