The Power of Words

This is not from literature, but I do feel it is important. It is from a booklet from the International YOU Rally, with the theme "Peace Be Still." Reading through these lists was a very enlightening and helpful experience for me. Literature (need I remind you), is made of words, and in all of the complex myriad of words and the confusion they sometimes convey, I think I begin to doubt the integrity available in our language (the language of humans). These lists remind me of the true power behind words; they are not merely letters strung together that sometimes sound pleasing to the ear: they are symbols that procure from within us, recognition of some of the most simple, most basic and profoundly important aspects of our own humanity. You may want to come to this when you have a space of time that allows you to actually read through each word, possibly even aloud; In my experience, doing so will yield far more impact than merely skimming over it.

Feelings

When our needs are met

adventurous

affectionate

alive

amazed

calm

centered

comfortable

compassionate

confident

content

curious

delighted

eager

encouraged

energetic

enthusiastic

excited

fascinated

free

fulfilled

glad

grateful

happy

hopeful

inspired

interested

intrigued

joyful

lively

moved

marvelous

motivated

optimistic

peaceful

playful

proud

relaxed

relieved

safe

satisfied

strong

surprised

thankful

thrilled touched

Feelings

When our needs are not met

afraid

angry

annoyed

anxious

ashamed

bored

bothered

concerned

confused

depressed

desperate

disappointed

discouraged

disgusted

dismayed

disoriented

distressed

drained

embarrassed

exasperated

exhausted

fearful

fed up

frustrated

furious

grumpy

guilty

hesitant

hopeless

horrified

hostile

hurt

impatient

irritated

jealous

lazy

lonely

lost

miserable

moody

nervous

numb

overwhelmed

pessimistic

regretful

reluctant

resentful

sad

scared

shocked

shy

sorry

stressed

suspicious

tense

terrified

tired

uncertain

uncomfortable

unhappy

unsafe

unsatisfied

unsure

upset

vulnerable

worried

Needs

Needs we all have

acceptance

achievement

acknowledgement

adventure

affection

appreciation

authenticity

autonomy

balance

beauty

celebration

choice

clarity

comfort

communication

community

compassion

connection

consideration

contribution

cooperation

creativity

ease

emotional security

empathy

empowerment

equality

exercise

freedom

friendship

fun

growth

harmony

health

help

honesty

hope

humor

independence

inspiration

integrity

intimacy

justice

knowledge

learning

leisure

love

meaning

mourning

mutuality

(music)!

nurturance

nutrition

order

participation

patience

peace

physical security

play

power in my world

presence

privacy

progress

purpose

recreation

reliability

respect

rest

safety

self-acceptance

self-esteem

self-expression

shared reality

solitude

space

stability

success

support

to belong

to be heard

to have my intentions understood

to matter

to be seen for who I am

tranquility

trust

truth

understanding

well-being