Monday, August 01, 2005

Power Words

Words are amazing things. They can chastise, insult, curse, and cut. They can encourage, compliment, praise, and mend. While the scar from a physical cut can heal; the scar from cruel words almost never leaves us. Words communicate a myriad of emotions, and they have become all the more powerful due to this remarkable thing we know as the internet. It's incredible how so many words are out there for everyone to view with just the click of a mouse.

The blogworld centers around the written word. Some of us are gifted in how we put our words together. Some of us are not so gifted - to put it kindly. Some use words to express their frustration, or humor, or love, or religious beliefs. Some use them to make others laugh. Some use them to make others think. Some write words only for themselves, while others write for as many people to read as possible.

What I have found most fascinating in the blogworld is that a person's personality can be seen in their words. We can see the sarcasm (usually), the pain, the laughter, the fear. And we can tell the difference between sincerity and bullshit in almost every post. Sometimes we can be fooled, but usually not for long. Blogging has created a whole new world, and like most worlds, it is made up of many small communities. I feel lucky that I have found my way into a very special blog community, and even luckier that it just keeps growing with new and interesting people.

In elementary education, power words are words that are used repeatedly and therefore important to memorize (sometimes referred to as high frequency words). Out in the big bad world, the term power words often refers to words that express positive affirmations. This past weekend, one of the special people in my blog community wrote a beautiful and thoughtful blog - a perfect example of power words - and I was lucky enough to be the recipient of this lovely gesture. Sarah, the author of the fabulous The Only Reason I Feel Secure*, created a post just for me, for no other reason than to make me feel blessed and good about myself. She had no agenda, gave me no indication it was coming, and got nothing out of it but my sincere and heartfelt thanks. Her powerful words made my day. They made my month. They were indeed a blessing. And I won't forget them. Thank you Sarah. You are classy, lovely, and full of grace. I wish the world was filled with people like you.

**Note to readers: Now go read her blog and give her lots of power words back! And add her to your bloglist! And ooooh and aaaah over her gorgeous baby pictures! And tell her husband Jacob* how fabulous he is too!

*Bloggers are no longer blogging. Links removed.

33 comments:

darth said...

what a wonderful blog gift, for a wonderful person :)

Ubermilf said...

I'm sorry... I'm just reconciling the big muscle-y tatooed arm and name "Darth" with his sweet message. Too cute.

Scarlet Hip said...

Jacob - I have no doubt she is just as sweet off the computer as she is on. I think everyone sees that. And I have yet to see your ass...I mean...you being an ass. Whatever.

Darth - ya big sweetie! When are coming to cook for me!

Ubie - nice arm huh? I've been working on getting him to post the rest of him, but no luck so far. Maybe we should have a picture day!

Anonymous said...

You can learn a lot about a person from their words, like you say. But I think you can learn just as much, if not more, from others writing and talking about you. Since first coming across your blog (I don't even remember how), all I see are other wonderful and funny people expressing love for you. My blogroll is overflowing as I add every one of your readers, who sound like the type of people you'd want as your friends.

And the reason we all come here is because of your humor, insights, and emotion.

(well that, and the hope that one day -- you'll post some photos of you in a bikini)

Fella said...

I am vetoing picture day.

Anonymous said...

I just realized that your gravatar is a woman in a bikini, so it's a good start. I don't know if it is you or not, but even if it is, I wear glasses and it's way to small for me to see very well. I tried zooming in with Photoshop and using my scientist neighbor's high powered telescope to get a better view of the photo, but the photo got all pixellated. So, once again, just a reminder for some future post -- maybe in the winter when everyone else in the country is freezing and wearing overcoats and dreaming about your glamourous life in florida. What a treat it will be. I guarentee your readership with double that day -- or I'll eat my winter hat.

Fella said...

Plus, I got the knife-in-head thing going on. And nobody wants to actually see that.

Anonymous said...

Brooke, that's such a nice thing for her to do for you. Makes me feel all kind of warm and reassured that there are nice people in the world after all.

What a groovy bunch of people.

Fella said...

Dammit Bob, you are a ruthless bounty hunter with a devil-may-care attitude. Act like it, man!

True Jersey Girl said...

You are right, words are so powerful. And its nice to see someone using them for good instead of snark in the blog world for once!

Anonymous said...

'a person's personality can be seen in their words.'... jesus, what do you think of me then? (suggestive naughty wink)

joanne said...

Blog friends are great, Brookie. I read her post about you. What a lovely tribute!

SS said...

that was really sweet what she wrote for you. i think it is awesome how all of us in an online community can become close to one another without actually ever having met. it's kind of a neat thing.

:)

Scarlet Hip said...

Neil - thanks sweetie. I have filled my list with many of yours as well. How did we find each other anyway? And yes, that pic is me. But me from a while ago - before some recent weight gain. Ironically, I thought I was fat when this picture was taken. Now I want to look like that again.

Sarah - you are a good woman too. :)

Nick - I'm vetoing your veto. Just find a picture that you like of yourself. Maybe eating pie. It can be from 10 years ago if you want. How would we know anyway?

TJ - exactly my point! ;)

Jacob - get JJ on it!

Irina - very well put. And welcome!

MQ - *wink wink nudge nudge*

Jo - I know. It was very sweet. Hope you can come back soon!

Sandra - I know what you mean. When I started this blog I had no idea there was a "community" so to speak. This has been a very nice unexpected surprise.

Modigliani said...

You're so awesome, Brooke. And we all love you. :)
What a sweet treat for you to read that special post.

Anonymous said...

Mmm pizza... I mean yes, words. Very powerful. I shouldn't comment while eating. Too distracting. Sorry. Brooke I find you to be honest, insightful and inviting.

Scarlet Hip said...

He's ignoring us so he can play with his code. If that doesn't define supergeek - I don't know what does.

Scarlet Hip said...

Thank you Anthony. I know you don't throw praise around, so that means a lot.

Can I have some pizza?

Can I have all your pizza?

Anonymous said...

Well I was figuring "when in Rome..."

Jack Steiner said...

Very nice.

Unknown said...

She's right. I'd be in my car speeding east if it weren't for MLA... and that pesky restraining order. When is that due to expire, SMG?

Johnny said...

im working on podcasting but cant get the recorder to work.

oh the glory of podcasting... this is WBRK coming to you (NOT LIVE) from the net.... hahaha!!! :p

Fella said...

Anthony, while I like the "when in Rome... etc." I find that "When in Greece..." is more pleasurable. For me.

Anyhow, I veto your veto of my veto, Brooke. No veto backs.

Anonymous said...

Awesome article.
Every day I find more and more stuff to read.
I fear that I need to clone myself to keep up to all of the great people who write out there.

So...
In lieu of a long comment...

You are the Electric Blogaloo, Brooke.
Plus you have one of the best titles ever.

Cheers!

Jorge (Came here from Mamalikey. ;))

Scarlet Hip said...

Jacob - it's a lovefest around here. Who'da thunk it?

Anthony - exactly. When in Rome, eat pizza.

Evil - how can I call you evil when you are so not evil?

JJ - I told you to only talk to me through the lawyers!
(huh? how did this happen?)

Johnny - I've always wanted my own radio station!

Nick - did you just come out of the closet on my blog?!!

Jorge - thanks! And welcome! And thanks again!

yournamehere said...

Yeah, Brooke, you'll do.

Just kidding, of course. You know I love ya.

With all of these comments, you should sell ad space on your blog, or maybe Babbling Brooke t-shirts.

My viva las vegASS adult diapers did NOT go over well. I'm sitting on a warehouse of those things.

Scarlet Hip said...

YNH - I think we just commented on each other's blogs at exactly the same time. Groovy.

Babbling Brooke tee-shirts...interesting...

Anonymous said...

I've come by a couple of times today hoping for something new, but alas. But I guess I'll just leave another love-filled comment on this post.

By the way, my parents will be in Boca Raton in two months visiting. I told them to bring you down some New York bagels.

I'm curious to hear about all your preparations for teaching. Is this your first time? Are you nevous? Are you going to be the cool teacher or the stern educator?

Scarlet Hip said...

Neil - I haven't written anything new because my brains are fried completely from classroom preparations. I will blog about this by the end of the week. To answer your questions:
Yes, it's my first time.
I am so nervous I want to vomit.
I am going to be the cool, stern teacher. Believe it or not, it can be done.
If your parents bring me bagels I will worship you for the rest of your blog career.

Unknown said...

Brooke, you are going to do so well. It is a difficult job but you want to do it and that gives you an edge. And you have the support of hundreds of virtual friends. Don't be nervous. Look forward to it.

And you have any questions Mo can't answer, ask me and I'll get MLA's input.

Cactus Prick said...

"While Hamlet can speak of 'words, words, words,' they're all we've got to go on."
- Guildenstern

Katie said...

I've never heard the phrase "power words" before, but I think you wrote this very eloquently.

Katie said...

just read it. Brooke, it was beautiful. I hope you bookmark it and visit and revisit it.