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.
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.
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.
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, my friends, is possible. And it starts with each of us, individually.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Audrey, such important words. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Michael. More important today than ever.
And once they are spoken you can’t take them back.
And once they are written, they can’t be taken back either. People write hurtful, awful things they would not say in person. And that is equally as damaging. They hide behind their keyboards and think that it’s OK to be mean.
this is such an uplifting post, audrey. i adore the tiles on the benches idea and i’m always drawn to comforting and positive words wherever they may be found. i saw a car once that had one sticker that said. ‘Be Kind.’ one of my favorites. i remember buying the book of poetry that you were in from the Content Bookstore –
I, too, like the tiles a lot and especially that this was a community project. “Be kind” is such a simple and powerful message. Thanks for appreciating the poetry book, Words to Meet the Moment, Poetry Against Fascism. Some mighty powerful words therein.
yes, to all of this
This is such a beautiful post. I wish the entire world would read it and follow your words. 💞
Yesterday I was rushing around and then I saw a car with a sticker on it that said, “I hope something wonderful happens to you today.” I couldn’t help but smile and wish the same for them. 😊
Thank you, Rose. And thank you for sharing that car sticker message. That would certainly make me smile, too.
A quote by Mother Teresa: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
What a lovely and fitting quote.
Words matter.
Yes, they do.