Words are powerful.

Words are the tools with which the Creator fashioned the world. Words have the power to create, the power to change, and the power to destroy. Words matter.

It is by no coincidence that the famed Jewish scholar, the Chofetz Chaim, so deliberately infused the importance of the Torah laws of Loshon HaRah – evil speech – into the fabric of Jewish learning and moral conduct. Again, words matter.

What I find fascinating is that people are rarely content with words. Words and intentions mean very little anymore. Particularly, when word and action are incongruent or have been proven false.

We no longer trust or believe the words others use and often demand an accompanying action or result to be satisfied. Does there always have to be a connection between word and deed?

I’ve often had my words challenged for authenticity, motivation and intention. If for some reason my words and thoughts do not translate into positive or congruent action, then it’s as if my words and thoughts are not only malicious but a lie as well.

People are complicated. Feelings and motivations are complicated, and black and white thinking concerning words and actions will no longer suffice within the chaos of complication.

What’s my point?

Words ARE important. Intentions ARE important. A person should not always be judged for the validity or legitimacy of their words by an accompanying action because actions require different motivation and strengths to actualize altogether.

So when someone tells you something, a thought, a wish, a goal…don’t dismiss their words as insincere, false or meaningless. Try to treat their words as seeds with which they desire to nurture and grow into deed and action. They may not have the strength with which to actualize their words right now, but give them the grace and time to let their seedlings grow.

If the Creator manifested existence using words prior to action, surely we can agree that words are just as important in the act of creating and relating as well.

Pay closer attention to peoples’ words and intentions today, you may in fact be witnessing an act of creation.