Words of Affirmation

There is a lie that children are taught sometimes that says, "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Nothing could be further from the truth. The very words we heard from the time we were small up to now, be it good or not so good to our ears, are things that do have a tendency to stay with us etched in our minds. There is nothing more loving and encouraging than hearing words of love and encouragement, words that affirm me, words that affirm you. Not words that reject you, negate you, or knock you down. Words that are full of grace and truth, words that edify, words that point me up not down. Words that are honest and not confusing. Words that are clear and direct. Words that affirm me, words that affirm you, that mutually...this is love.