In our society, someone is always saying something. Whether it's on social media or in person, words are constantly leaving a person. Given the fact that it's an election year and out inherent desire to be connected to others, I think it's time that we take a step back and really understand exactly how much value our words hold.

The problem is that everyone is saying the first thing that comes to their minds without giving it any thought. It could be a blatant lie, but people will still say it because it's something to say. We have this uncontrollable urge to be heard and accepted, to the point that we're willing to completely disregard our personal beliefs and agree with others because that's how you get accepted.

Politicians do this all the time. They tell the people that they're going to do X, Y and Z when all they really want is to be elected and do X, Q and C. I won't say that all of them lie or that everything they say it a lie but it's pretty close. They also hurl insults and reveal personal details about each other, no matter the consequences.

This has rubbed off on other groups of people as well. Celebrities are known for their feuds. They have no problem talking smack about one person, then throwing a hissy fit when someone does the same to them.

Kids are throwing around words like love and hate without truly understanding what they mean. We're living in a culture where words don't mean anything as long as you have something to say. Personally, this is not the world I want to live in. I'm tired of the empty conversations full of fluff and small talk. Give me substance, give me a well thought out opinion, give me and open-minded, intelligent conversation. Because that's something this world is sorely lacking.

My father used to tell me that at the end of the day, people only have their word. If their word means nothing, they have nothing to go off of, no influence. The way our society is driven, so many people have lost the value of their word. It means nothing anymore. It's little more than a formality.

Let's change that. Think about what you're saying before you say it. Give your words substance instead of hot air. Bring back the value of words so that when you speak, people listen. Not just because someone's speaking, but because your words actually mean something.