a word about words

There is no word to describe the power of words. It is amazing how one simple word can invoke feelings, change a mood, or plant a seed. Every human being on the face of the earth, no matter gender, race, nationality, or economic status, has the freedom to use words in whatever capacity they choose. Songs, poems, books, speeches, conversations, emails, blog posts-all made up of single words. Words can ignite fear, be a war cry, bring pain, erode trust, start a genocide. Words can bring hope and light, be the stepping stones to peace and enlightenment, fill up the empty spaces in our souls, make us laugh, start a revolution.

We choose which words are in our minds, on our tongues, in our hearts. We choose which words surround us throughout the day and night. We choose the the words we think in our heads that form the messages we tell ourselves over and over again.

We choose.
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I came up with the list of school/unschool words while reflecting on a modern dance performance I was able to attend a few weeks ago. In one particular number there were two dancers, one with a flowing, beautiful dress and loose hanging hair down her back, the second dancer was dressed plainly in dark colors, her hair was tightly wound up close to her head.

We then heard a woman's voice saying single words. Her voice was soothing and curvy, rolling off her tongue, beauty in every syllable. The words she said felt warm and soothing. Her words sounded inviting and brought a joyful celebrating quality to the room. Like- delectable, papaya, enchantment, and tactile. The dancer moved with an oozing, curvy, fluid quality that matched the words we heard.

The second dancer was quite the opposite. The words spoken while she moved were harsh, pointed, raw. Like- aardvark, scrub, deception, sasquatch. When the dancer moved she had sharp, choppy movements.

As an audience member I had two distinctly different feelings with each dancer. It was quite simply a demonstration on the power of words.

While reflecting on the movement, schoolish (my own word) words started running through my head narrated in that harsh, pointed voice. Feelings of dread and fear engulfed me.

Then I tried out unschooling words narrated in the soothing, fluid voice. I felt peaceful.

How interesting and curious, I thought. I could type out a list of words and that would sum up my reasons for unschooling just by the feelings they brought with them. A reader of my words could experience a little piece of my understanding on life just from a list of words.

How mighty are the power of words! How will we use them? What will we create? What feelings and changes will occur because of our words?

It is all in our hands.
It is all up to us.