Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes a part of us, our history, and our legacy. From my own life experiences, I have understood how words, simple words said in passing to a child, can leave an impression and help manifest a future purpose.
As a writer, I was born with words and stories of hope. When I was four, my mother let me construct words on a typewriter, always encouraging me to create more. Through the years, she gave me the words of strength, hope, and love that pushed me to become the first person on both sides of my family to graduate from college. When I was in college, my English professor, Dr. Joanne Dempsey, told me one rainy day, "One day, you will be a writer." I've kept these women's powerful words in my heart and have, in turn, tried to give words of hope and encouragement to others.
Through the years, I have tried to pass on the legacy that Dr. Dempsey, perhaps unknowingly, left for me that one rainy day. She taught me, as did my mother, that words spoken to an impressionable mind can invoke a sense of purpose that fulfills a destiny. For, indeed, all of us have a purpose. Our purpose lies like a tiny ember in our heart, stoked into brilliant flame by the kind words of a stranger, a mentor, a parent, or a friend. A teacher can tell a struggling student, "You're smart," and those words help him find the confidence to become President of the United States. A stranger can say "You're pretty" to a young girl from Mississippi and those words help her become a beloved humanitarian. A parent can say, "You're special," and those words can help his children unleash the power of potential.
Each day I give my two daughters, Dempsey and Ceiley, the words to reach forward and fulfill their purpose. I believe that we are given the gift of a child and, like the wise elders of years past, we are meant to infuse them with all of our history and knowledge. The words of the past and the words of the future connect us all like links in a chain. All powerful words give hope. The mightiest words are those we share with our children. They must know the words of our ancestors for all families are linked together like a chain. Children must know the value of their particular link. They must strengthen their bond and pass on the words to their children so that future generations can grow in spirit.
But how do we do this? Children are really taking a back seat in our society. Many children are spoiled, lacking nothing, but lacking much. For what they lack are the words that would jump start their human spirit. The words that would make them tingle with an excitement to learn new things and explore their natural environment.
I have crafted many stories about human relationships, but one day I was really struck by this particular notion of purpose. My daughters and I were walking home from school when a simple brown leaf fell silently from an oak tree lining the sidewalk. No one really noticed. My kids kept walking but suddenly, for me, time stood still. It was sort of a "if a tree falls in the woods" moment. Why did the leaf fall, I wondered, and who really cared? I realized that even that leaf had a purpose, one that it may not have even realized.
We are all like the leaf. We all have a deep, profound purpose to our lives that we may not even understand until it becomes manifest. This purpose may be very simple on the surface, but may deeply affect the course of many lives. We are all instrumental in each other's greater purpose. You never know when you might be the one with the words to create the next Mother Theresa or the next loving mother who nurtures and creates a wonderful child.
This leaf struck me to my core and from my notions I crafted a story of simplicity and truth. It is called A Simple Brown Leaf. It tells the story of an autumn leaf that thinks its life is over when it falls from a tree, not realizing that it is being watched by a squirrel who plans to use it to line her nest for winter. Its main message is that every living creature has a purpose, no matter how we try to trivialize it.
I truly believe that this is one of the most important messages we can give children today. Many children grow up believing that they could disappear off of the face of the Earth and no one would notice. Kids today grow up in a world of despair and lack a sense of hope. It doesn't have to be like this.
Words are powerful things. Perhaps the solution is simple. Could I child pick up a book and begin thinking about his/her life's path? Can we instill a sense of importance from a young age - a sense of knowing that 'I have a place in the world?' I think all of our futures depend on finding the words within ourselves that say, 'I am powerful!'
Keep in mind: ? Your words are you legacy ? Never underestimate the power of your words ? Sharing a story is a great way to share your words ? Words spoken to an impressionable mind can invoke a sense of purpose that fulfills a destiny ? The mightiest words are those we share with our children
L.J. Davis is the author of A Simple Brown Leaf, a story for a new generation of children.
"Every child has a purpose. Every child asks the question, 'Who am I going to become.'"
Learn more at ljdavis.com
?2005 L.J. Davis
Chicago limo Skokie ..Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among... Read More
The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games... Read More
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom!... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
A tall, weary-looking mother with glasses, walked into my counseling... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More
17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More
Jason Meridith's two-year old son whines when he wants more... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
Parenting |