Our Powerful Words

About this Episode

Words that we say and the words we remember being said to us can have impact that goes far beyond the moment in which they are spoken. For better or for worse many of us remember things said to us decades ago, And we have all said things that have lodged in other people’s minds in an equally powerful way—and most of the time we don’t even realize that has happened. While we may say and receive words that are meant to have an impact, other times it is a casual remark that looms large in retrospect. Today we look at the ways we are influenced and can influence others with our words, including how words can affect our creative selves and others.

Words that impact our personal lives, both positively and negatively, play in role in our lives as artists. They can help us feel self-confident, which helps us to be focused and committed, or they can undermine these important aspects of our creativity.

Those of us engaged in teaching, writing, mentoring, and in other ways consciously directing others have a huge responsibility in choosing words carefully. That responsibility can feel heavy, since you cannot know how someone else may react to things you say. You may touch on someone's insecurities without any intention of upsetting the person. Young people or those new to art may be especially vulnerable and liable to misinterpret things you say.

Yet by worrying about responses and treading too lightly you can miss great opportunities for communication. Words spoken from experience, with good intentions, can be extremely helpful to other artists.

We all need to take responsibility for our own reactions to what others say that sound to us critical or negative and to realize that we can choose what to credit and what to brush off. We can also try harder to say the right things that will encourage rather than discourage other people and be more conscious of expressing empathy and appreciation. There is no way to always say the right thing at the right time, but we can treasure the positive words given to us and attempt to give more of those to others.

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Rebecca and her partner at Cold Wax Academy, Jerry McLaughlin are wrapping up an exciting Spring Quarter and have announced their lineup of topics for Summer quarter which begins July 7. Their weekly live, interactive sessions will focus on Mark-making, Composition, and on Setting and Following Intentions to create strong, cohesive work.

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