Choose Words Carefully

I was recently brought to tears as I listened to a woman berate her young toddler in the grocery store. The wounded look on that little tear stained face broke my heart. I do not forget the challenge of feeling overtired and over-"mommied". I know that parenting is difficult; and, my intent is not to cast judgment; but, rather to encourage us all to be mindful of the special gifts and needs of children. I believe children come to us radiating light, goodness and hope. They look to us to nurture their physical as well as their spiritual well being. Words matter. Words either increase the light or introduce darkness into a child's world. Children do not understand the nuances of processing thoughts and choosing whether or how another person's unkind words and behaviors will affect them. That is a tool that many adults have not learned to use with skill; and, those adults suffer because of their negative self talk and thoughts. It takes effort, awareness and understanding to recognize the emotions we have in response to stimuli; to assess whether our thoughts are functional or dysfunctional and to make a conscious choice about how we are going to react. We have a responsibility to model words and behaviors that are positive and full of light; that give children a sense of belonging, hope, purpose and love. It is up to us to nurture, to guide,and to walk hand in hand with these little ones, along their paths, until they are ready to let go of our hands and walk their paths independently. We must teach these precious little ones correct, age appropriate principles so that they will begin to learn to nurture the goodness and light that they come into this world possessing. Words matter. Choose carefully. Choose words of light, love and hope~Beck/BroTations