CLEVELAND, Ohio – The power and meaning of words are clarified by the context and tone in which the words are expressed. Add the intention of the speaker and the degree to which the listener trusts the speaker, along with mind filters made of past experiences, current mood and future hopes, and you have what we call communication.
For example, words and phrases about time can be confusing. Gimme a sec means about a minute to me, but to another it may mean five to 10 minutes or more. Soon is tricky. It can refer to a future time, counted by hours or weeks or even months – depending on how willing two parties really are about having lunch.
Indeed, words aren’t just words, and they don’t just represent ideas. Intention makes them tools which can be used to craft good for others or to achieve personal gain and satisfaction and sometimes even both at the same time. We’re all responsible for our words and how we use them…