"Your word is your wand". The first time I read that phrase, I was struck by just how much it resonated in me. I've always believed that the words I utter have great power. But it wasn't until I started focusing on this idea and carefully choosing my words that I came to know the enormous truth of this phrase. Reared as a Catholic, I can recall, even at a very young age, how people in church would recite prayers without knowing what they were saying. It was as if they were robots, saying the words but not really paying any attention to what they meant. No feeling, no awareness, not a stitch of presence. Just reciting the words by rote, thinking that just by saying the words they would somehow be 'saved'. I didn't buy it then and I still don't. I can remember one particular Sunday, while driving home from church with my Mom, I asked her about this. I asked why it was that people would say the words but didn't really seem to know what they were saying. She hesitated for just a moment and then said, "you know, maybe you're right about that. But here's the only thing you need to pay attention to: what do YOU feel when you say the prayers? Do you believe in the words that you're saying by heart? Because it doesn't really matter what anyone else is or isn't doing. All that matters is what YOU are doing when you speak to God." Profound words from a very wise woman. I have never forgotten.
Some years later when I announced to my Mom that I was not interested in going to church any longer, she was, at first, very angry. She was a devout Catholic and afraid that her daughter was going to hell because she didn't believe in this particular religion. But, after she had some time to get past her fear, she sat down with me and asked me why. I told her that I had serious doubts about the teachings of the Roman Catholic church and that, as far as I was concerned, my God was not just in that building but rather, everywhere. She said, "if you were going to talk to God, where would you go?" I told her to bring me to the beach and let me sit out on the end of the jetty. THAT was where I felt closest to God. Thankfully, she was wise enough to allow me to have my own relationship with God my own way. She didn't insist that I attend her church, nor did she ever tell a soul about our 'arrangement'. She simply drove me to the beach, dropped me off, and then came to pick me up when her mass was finished. I shall always be grateful that she allowed me this freedom. It would be years until we actually talked about it at length and she told me then that she did understand my choice, even though it took years for her to realize. I told her that I didn't really think God cared what words I used, merely that I said them from my heart. I still believe this now. Even if you don't use the word 'god', it's all the same to me. God. Universe, Source, Great Mystery. Whatever. To me it's more about the connection to that Source than it is the name you give it. But I digress...
The point I'm trying to make is this: when we speak, our words carry energy. Sound is energy. It goes out into the Universe and comes right back. All energy is cyclical. ALL of it. Energy does not dissipate. It may change forms, but it is a constant. Drop an Atom bomb and the energy takes on a different form. But it's still there. Just like the sounds that we utter in the form of words. Kind of like a boomerang. Toss it out and it comes back. Every time. So, if the words we use are energy, and we use them mindlessly, then that mindless energy returns full force. If, on the other hand, we choose our words well, that energy also returns full force. Say something ugly, and ugliness comes back. Say something kind, and kindness comes back. It may not be instantaneous, but it DOES come back. If every time you begin to speak, you take just a few moments to choose your words, you will find that your entire world will change right before your eyes. Your words ARE your wand. Choose them carefully!
» left by sue thom from nj (109 days 18 hours ago.)
hi camille,
excellent article. your mom was very wise, especially for her generation. i did the same thing, and my mom also accepted it, but she didn't have any words of wisdom to go with it, although she had many words of wisdom, just not on that subject. if i raise my hands outstretched, up in the air, or to my side, i still come in contact with energy, and i firmly believe your words can haunt you if you don't choose them wisely. i like your picture,
Wonderful article, Camille. I, too, have thought a lot about the church "building" and I feel that you don't have to be in church to be close to God. I'm a firm believer that you carry God with you if you chose--He's in your heart and being the Creator, He is in all things. You can't go anywhere that you could leave Him behind--even the non-believer will have God with them wherever they go.
Sandra~ Thank you for reading my piece. And thanks for your sincerity. I always appreciate reading your comments...and they ALWAYS inspire me to keep writing. Blessings~ Camille
Sadly I think your focus was correct but your conclusion may be somewhat wrong. You said it excellently and I agree but you can find God anywhere and he certainly is in that church, you just didn't recognize Him. People forget church is not about the person sitting next to you and what they are doing or others it is all about you and how you chose to communicate with God. I'm catholic and find that when I focus on Him there isn't any issue. Thanks for the good article.
There's the pretty face I've been wanting to see :-) Great job on this article Camille. So true. Empty and repititous prayer without thought to what is being said is just Babble. In fact that is what Jesus called it. He told us not to use repitious prayer but he gave us a model which showed us that we share from our own heart. I love sitting at the edge of a cliff over looking the ocean in spending time with God as well. To me it is so majestic and the roar of the ocean and how it stops in just the right place causes my heart to rise up and praise Him in my own words.
Again, great job!! love, hugs, and friendship, Teresa
Thank you, Sweet Teresa! Yes, I find that my 'connection' to God is more easily found out of doors. Put me in the mountains or on a cliff or in a tree somewhere...else near a critter of ANY kind. THIS is when I feel God in me. I've been to so many churches and never once did I feel the same way as I do when I'm among Nature's great creations. But it's okay by me....I know that God has no prerequisites for prayer. Merely that we say what we mean and FEEL what we say. Amen! Hugs & Blessings, Teresa~ Camille
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