It is raining hard in DC. Cleaning the city perhaps? On all levels. Anyhow, what a day to read and snuggle. I was reminded yet again about the power of reading and the emotions it can evoke -- whether in adults or children. Reading can literally touch your heart -- so can words. I just finished Delia Owens moving story, Where the Crawdads Sing. Kya, the protagonist, learns to read late in her childhood and remarks after reading a poem something to this effect, "Who knew words could carry such power?". I raise this for two reasons today. Words have power, both positive and negative. We relish the positive words and the enormous power evoked in us through them. But, we also have negative and discriminatory words and hurtful words (oft-times said in times of anger or in bullying or in a show of power). These words have power too. I'd suggest we look more carefully at all our words, starting with our leaders and political candidates and politicians. We need to be careful. Words aren't just letters strung together. Repeat: words are not just letters strung together. They can hurt like weapons, causing psychic injury, and they can make one's heart leap with joy. Seems the latter is way preferable by any measure. …see more