This post is inspired from Pragalbha’s question at Infinite Living:
“What are the most memorable compliments given to you?” (Thank you Pragalbha and Debby at ThoughtSmith for the inspiration.)
Memorable words? We often forget the good ones, as they are rare. But we yearn for them. I learned the power of words very early in life. I knew they could bore unseen holes in our heart, knifing deeper hurts that keep festering.
I learned to live with them; also hurl some back at those who deserved them. Then I met some loving persons, with divine streaks. I discovered the path to positivity. My confidence doubled. I stopped paying attention to judgmental people, I steered away from toxic persons around me and decided to change my perception.
Then I learned forgiveness. It was not easy; I had to pass through the cauldron of each negative thought, each unseemly word that refused to quit the crevices of my mind. Forgiveness fairy would visit me every night to caress my hair. She taught me how a kind word sends vibes of love, if we are perceptive, if we know how love permeates and proliferates with this little gesture.
She told me: We give a little kindness when we pay attention. We give a little hope when we listen patiently.We give respect by communicating honestly. We give a gentle message with our tender touch.
I understood the power of touch when one of my colleagues said:
“When you hold hands while talking, it seems you are really listening to me. I like it so much.”
Those words stayed with me.
“You have time for everyone,” another one said. The words warmed my heart.
Who doesn’t know the paucity of time specially when you are young, you know somebody is waiting at home and rushing becomes your second nature; when you are juggling with so many roles: A home-maker, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a mentor, a colleague and a friend.
Patient listening and responding with whatever kind words I could manage became my habit.
But the best compliment that I received indirectly from a friend is: “You have to peep into her heart to know her.”
She was asked how could she be friendly with me!
Frowned at by most of my colleagues for keeping distance from them, I was considered to be “an arrogant” but only few who tried to come closer, understood the walls that I had erected around me to keep the arrows of words away.
An excerpt from one of my earlier poems:
Words silence; they take you into deeper dumps
Words soften; they can change your outlook.
Words hurt; they can cause irreparable damage
Words guide; they give us the power to introspect.
© Balroop Singh
If you like poetry, check my latest book: Magical Whispers
