Reflecting on the power of words

Reflecting on the power of words August 24, 2026

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 11:06 AM
Tags: commentary, encouragement, kindness, Minnesota, positive words, reflections, thoughts, uplifting words, window stickers, words, wordsmith

While in Willmar in west central Minnesota earlier this summer, I found a bench covered in ceramic tiles. Community members painted 600 tiles for eight benches as part of the public arts project, “Sit with Me.” (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 2026)

WORDS MATTER. And, as a wordsmith, I find myself especially drawn to words that uplift. Encouraging words exist everywhere in everyday life, if we look and listen for them.

*I photographed these positive stickers on a car parked at an outdoor concert at Little Prairie United Methodist Church, rural Dundas. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2026)*

Read them in a book. See them on a window or bumper sticker. Find them on a painted stone. Overhear them in a conversation. Speak them.

To use words in a positive way holds tremendous power. Likewise, to use words in a negative way can cause hurt that runs deep and destructive.

*Among the many positive stickers on this car parked at a Little Prairie United Methodist Church outdoor concert was “see the good.” (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2026)*

Choose your words wisely. Be kind. Listen. Speak lovingly. Show compassion and care in words and actions. Strive to do good. Look for the best in others.

And if you must correct, counter or disagree, then do so in the gentlest of ways. Be respectful. That is much more effective than anger, accusations and fiery words that inflame.

*Just looking at this sticker on a car window made me happy. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2026)*

We all live in this world together. We are all connected. And as such, let’s remember our humanity, our commonalities, that which builds up rather than breaks down. See the good in one another. Choose love and kindness. Embrace happiness. Live not selfishly, but with concern, care and compassion for others.

This photo of markers outside Content Bookstore in Northfield reminds me that we are all different, all individuals, yet living together on one planet. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo May 2026)

This, my friends, is possible. And it starts with each of us, individually.

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Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling