The times they are a changin’

One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. (Malala Yousafzai)

Ok, so it’s not news that just about everything in our lives has changed over the past few months. The way we conduct business has changed. The way we interact with other people has definitely changed. The need to communicate – and to communicate well – has not changed, though.

Our words can still make a huge difference, probably even more so now. Choosing our words carefully and being aware of how we say or write those words can have an incredible impact on other people. We all need to focus on making that impact a positive one.

Our words can help us make a positive change, in our close circle of friends and family as well as in the larger circle of our community and our country. In these challenging and uncertain times, we have to focus on using our words for good – each and every time. We need to make a positive statement, now more than ever.

Malala Yousafzai is a young woman who has chosen to use her words to make a positive change in the world of other young women. She grew up in Pakistan, where girls are not supposed to be able to go to school and learn the words they need to make a difference for themselves.

Malala was shot in the head because she spoke out about the need for girls to be able to learn. She survived and continues to use her words to advocate for all girls to have a free, safe, and quality education. If this young woman can be bold enough to use her words for good, what’s stopping us?

We’re in the midst of huge changes, in virtually every aspect of our lives. Maybe this is an opportunity to redirect that change with your words, to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s advice: Be the change you wish to see in this world.

Words have power. Choose yours wisely. (Pat Fontana)