You are dumb. You’re ugly. You’re useless. You’re disappointing. You’re embarrassing. You’re ignorant. You’re messy. You’re weak. You’re short. You’re tall. You’re gay. You’re awkward. You’re friendless. You’re weird. You’re obnoxious. You’re… different.

Words surround us. They consume our every waking moment with a constant and seemingly endless flood of information. Some are good: You are smart. You are gorgeous. You are helpful. I love you.

But others come to our minds and infect our consciousness with doubt: You are stupid. You are disgusting. You are useless. I hate you. Words have a terrible power over us. A power that we give them. They only have purpose because we give them that purpose. And they only have necessity because we use them.

It is so easy to slip under the darkness of words. To let them control you. It is easy for us to accept that society wants to control our words. It is even easier for us to let it. There’s an old saying that “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” yet the truth is words will always hurt you. They will always affect the way you see yourself, and how others see you. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what words you are given; it is much more important what you do with them.

So whether you are giving words or receiving them, remember this: Your words are a double edged sword, and you choose which side you use. You can choose to be cruel, and allow your words to bring people down, or you can choose to be kind, and your words will make people even just a little more content.

There are many things in this world we have no control over, but if nothing else, we will always be able to control our words. Here in America we greatly value freedom of speech; however, that freedom is beginning to be smothered.

Many Americans would rather live in a world where everyone agreed with them than a world where everyone is free to share their true thoughts and opinions. And yes, it is nice to be agreed with. Everyone wants validation for their thoughts; however, this is not an equal exchange for the pure power of freedom of speech.

Other’s opinions should be respected, not smothered. So choose your words wisely, for you will have to pay the price of their effects. But also let others choose their own words, and together, America will be able to embrace the power of words.