Finding Safe Passage

The heights by great men

reached and kept,

were not attained by sudden flight,

but they,

while their companions slept,

were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In my late twenties, I was reading a book that supported the idea of re-framing our language to change our self-assessments and general out look on living.  The substitution of words that impacted me the most were "I made a mistake," instead of "I failed."  Somehow, I had been thinking that every time I did not succeed or perform to the best of my abilities, I had failed. Failing carries a great deal of pressure and judgment whereas making a mistake is correctable and forgivable.  

Several months ago, I was reading an inspirational message suggesting the substitution for the word "worry" with the word "wonder."  I thought I would give it a try, and once again I felt a definite shift in how these two words impacted me.  The word worry is frequently accompanied by stress, anxiety, and tension.  The word wonder is light, creative, and positive in nature.

Now enters Dr. Wayne Dyer who distinguishes between the two words beliefs and knowledge.  "Beliefs," Dr. Dyer explains, "are notions we acquire from the outside world -  judgments and world view of those who influence us.  Knowledge, on the other hand, proceeds from within.  We know what we know because we know it, and it has nothing to do with what anyone else tells us or does."

The difference between words can alter the cadence of our life.  By re-framing through the choice of using words that are accurately defined and less harsh, alters how we feel about our selves and the world we live in.  For example, the word "sin" is derived from a Greek archery term meaning "to miss the mark." How in the world did this word get so twisted into a threat of being condemned to hell?

We choose our words carefully.  We try not to offend.  We speak in a way that others will understand us and accept us.  And the more we do this, the farther we grow away from our own truth and identity.

I had been selected to be a part of a team to present an inspirational message to an audience of emotionally and spiritually wounded human beings.  I was very excited about this opportunity and I gathered several of my favorite books to be used as resources.  I quickly made an outline that would include all of the support the audience would be wanting to hear.

The team met for a preliminary meeting and the chairman, a man I greatly respected, examined our outlines and accompanying notes.  I knew he would be very pleased with my expertise.  After he read through my material,  I could tell that in his hesitation he was trying to find the best words. 

This kind gentleman looked me right in the eye and said, "These are wonderful facts based in psychology and sociology, but I want you to go home and write from your heart."  I was stunned.

Eager to do my best, I immediately picked up my pen and started writing based on my feelings from personal experience.  I wrote what I felt was a definite part of my self.  I understood that the listeners would not be hearing from my professional self, but from my own wounds and healing.

At the weekend retreat, I did not find my self to be nervous.  I was uncomfortable with allowing my self to be so vulnerable, but I was willing to be open.  I asked spirit to use my words to comfort all who were present.

The end result was overwhelming.  Without referring to one note, I spoke to the hearts of each person present.  I offered encouragement and the promise of living in the light again.  There was not a dry eye in the audience when I ended with, "It is not enough to know God's love, we must be God's love."  I have 'no' idea where those words came from other than the knowledge that dwells within us.

So when we are crossing a bridge from one section of life into the next and a fog seems to settle in, we can think about the impact of our words.  We must choose our words wisely from our heart as we work steadily to improve our life.  The fog will clear, the sun will rise, and we will find safe passage once again.