It was with a startling realization today that I recognized the power of a single phrase. I knew that something was bothering me– had been, in fact, for several weeks. I knew that no matter what I told myself and others, that there was some underlying “thing” still there. And it showed.

It hit me this morning on the way to work. It was dark but you could tell the day was starting and it was very foggy. Those kinds of morning lull me into deep dark thinking places. With all the words and feelings that have swirled around since mid December… I can now finally pinpoint which one bothers me the most.

Or rather, which one hurt me the most. It wasn’t the end of a dream I had been holding onto that hurt… it was the method by which that dream was brutally murdered. I don’t think people realize the value of the words they choose. For many, they are simply random configurations of letters that are thrown together to form a thought.

But to those of us that receive those words, they have the power to destroy. If I quoted the words to you here, now, they would mean virtually nothing. Yet, merely thinking them makes my heart hurt. Those words– tossed out at me in December– took away my value. And I let them.

And now, ten weeks later, I am taking that power away. Yes, those words still hurt. And I want to learn how to let that hurt go. Whether the words are true or not, whether that is the permanent reality or not, it doesn’t have to hurt.

When I can find the way to let that pain go, I will know that I am strong.