Have you ever wondered how words impact a person's day?

Every day we say so many things to so many people, and our words can have a huge effect on how a person feels throughout their day. Those interactions can really make a difference in someone's lives. "Hello" could make someone feel acknowledged. It allows them to feel like someone actually cares and that someone noticed them. Simply by saying hello, you can make a person smile. Just by this one word you can do so much.

Now imagine telling a person "Hey, you're doing a good job at...." That can really make someone feel that all the hard work that they have put into a certain task paid off and that someone noticed that they did an excellent job. It makes someone feel that they are doing something right. To hear those words said by someone that you didn't think was noticing can mean a lot. It can impact a person in a very positive way. It can motivate them to keep doing their best and to keep putting the work into something that they are passionate about.

Words are powerful things that we as individuals have to learn how to master. In order to master the art of language, we need to know when we need to speak and how to phrase things in a way that is beneficial. Words, even when they aren't verbally expressed, still have a ton of impact. Sometimes a person just may need those kind words of encouragement. Leaving a note, or actually checking in someone, means a lot.

However, just as easy as it is to make someone's day, you can easily hurt them as well. I've been in situations where one word is all it takes to make someone feel bad for a whole day, or even longer. One word can do harm, and at times it isn't even intentional-- our tone and our real meaning may get lost as we try to communicate.

Words are a double-edged sword; they can encourage and motivate a person to do bigger and better things, or they can really make a person question themselves and bring them crashing down.

I know this from experience. People have told me things that can absolutely make my day. Just the other day in a meeting with my supervisor she told me what a great job I had been doing and that she's very pleased with the work I have done, encouraging me to keep up the hard work. By contrast, it can be crushing when someone who you consider close to you says something that hurts you, perhaps even without them knowing it.

It is crucial to recognize the power of words. As a challenge to you all reading this, make it a goal to say some words of encouragement to someone you see who may be having a tough day, or to someone you don't interact with on a daily basis. It really can make all the difference.