What do the three words in this image mean? If I asked, I would expect a range of answers, some very similar and others different.
The problem is all words are metaphor. This is certainly not an original idea of mine, but something I have wrestled with, especially lately.
In recent conversations, my words were misunderstood and interpreted in ways other than intended. This has happened my whole life, but it was especially poignant recently. I was reminded what I say is not always what someone else hears. And the same is true when I am the listener.
Language is a metaphor to communicate ideas, feelings, beliefs, and more, one of the primary vehicles for sharing our heart and mind with others. It is however, like every aspect of our humanity, imperfect. I select a word or phrase to communicate my thoughts and feelings. The other person hears those words through a different filter shaped by their thoughts, feelings, and experience. Misunderstandings are inevitable.
This has profound impact on every aspect of our life when human interaction occurs.
In the public arena, unnecessary, divisive conflicts between different groups can arise. One misunderstood word can evolve into months or even years of escalating and ongoing turmoil.
In our personal relationships it can cause hurt feelings, separations, fights, and a host of other problems. One misunderstood phrase can damage a friendship or relationship, even to the point of a permanent fracture.
In our religious world, it can wreak all kinds of havoc. One misunderstanding of religious literature can cause inquisitions, crusades, racism, division, terrorism, judgmentalism, and other problems, many of which haunt our world to this day.
This does not mean words don’t matter. They are crucial. But we must always remember they are metaphor, one of our best, albeit imperfect, methods to communicate with one another. Even the words I write here may offend someone, even if, and often because, they are hearing something other than I am attempting to convey.
Words are vitally important and we must exercise caution with the words we use. Words have power. Power to hurt and power to heal. Power to fuel hate and power to create love. Power to expose the worst of us and power to reveal the best we have to offer.
We all have a responsibility when it comes to langauge. We must be good speakers and writers as well as good listeners and readers. We must seek to understand before we react, to attempt to enter the world of the other.
Too many wars and fights and too much murder and persecution have resulted from misappropriated or misunderstood language. We cannot control what someone else says, but we can work to discern what we say and how we react to what we hear.
I know I need to be better about this every time I open my mouth, sit down in front of my laptop, listen to another person, or read what someone has written. I am sure the world around me can be better place if I practice the words I have written here today.
Breaking Into Peace 