Recently, on one of the worst days I have had in years, I had a friend say to me, “You fill my bucket.” This made me feel good when she spoke them to me, and they couldn’t have come at a better time. My interpretation of her words was simply that I matter in her life. It has been four weeks since she uttered those words, and I found myself randomly thinking of them again today. I smiled and felt good all over again. Four weeks later, these words are still with me.
This makes me think of words from another friend. More than 20 years ago, a friend wrote me a letter and in it she told me I was the most genuine person she knew. I was proud when I read those words and I have remembered them countless times during the last two decades, reliving the pride feeling over and over. They have also helped to hold me accountable to whom I want to be. I want to be genuine. I want to be me; the good, the bad, and everything in between. Genuine to me means real, and I love that.
What are the words we are saying to each other? What are we not saying? Why would we hold back? Are we complimenting? Are the words that utter through our lips ones of kindness?
We must keep in mind, in a fleeting moment, the people we care about could be taken from us. Let’s not wait until it is too late to tell them how we feel about them. We must also remember the random people that enter our lives each day; the ones we don’t know. Even if our interaction is only for a moment, we can change their lives. What can we tell them that will make them feel good? Can we compliment them? If so, we need to. You never know the impact those simple words will have on them in that moment and imagine if it’s a month later or 20 years later and they still holding on to them.
Words matter. Let’s use them for good. We have the ability to make the world a better place, one word at a time. Choose them wisely and speak them often.
We only get one chance at this thing called life. Rock it!