This is a classic that I have referenced many times and posted a couple times…but it I feel the need to share it again.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~Unknown
We think it before we say it… (even in anger when we try to excuse ourselves with things like “In the heat of the moment I didn’t really know what I was saying”…or “You made me angry” (implying that our awful and intemperate response was actually the fault of the person who received it???) The truth is that what comes out of us is what is inside of us. (including in moments of pressure and stress) Said another way… you can’t get apple juice from an orange…no matter how hard you squeeze it.
Yesterday Rebecca and I (and the kids) celebrated our 21st anniversary. During the course of our marriage we have often discussed the importance and power of words. And how words are the most powerful tools in helping to set a tone for our home, our relationships and our lives. Words are the parents of thoughts…thoughts the parents of behaviors….and our behaviours = our outcomes and our very lives. When we get casual with our language, we have become casual with our thinking… we think it doesn’t really matter and it does…and the result of casual …well it’s just 2 letters short of casual(ty). Don’t let your relationships become a casualty of your language.
On the other hand…the moment we begin to enrich our language, we begin to enrich our lives. The more uplifting our language…the more uplifting our lives.
Finally to show how just a few words have the power to uplift our lives…refocus and renew our commitment.. let me share this picture with you. Last night when Rebecca and I came home from our dinner…. the kids had decorated our room, lit some candles, had romantic music playing….and really worked together to “set the mood” for romance and help us celebrate our 21 years. Additionally …they had each written us a note expressing (in words) their thoughts about what our marriage has meant to them. As we read their words…. we laughed, we cried, as we were filled with gratitude for the opportunity we have been blessed with to be parents and to have a family. We also recommitted ourselves to continue to strive to become the best parents we can be….and at least for our youngest Ash…the kind of parents she seems to think we already are. 
Still speaking of words… I have often taught that “People become what we say about them.” I hope this is true…. especially after reading this note from our Ashly
Mzsunflower's Say What? 