The power of words

I have finally come around to create my own blog where I hope to put across my ideas and impressions on what is happening around us.
I believe in the power of the word. The title of this blog 'Words make us different' was inspired by Ingrid Betancourt, the former Colombian presidential candidate who was kidnapped and kept hostage for six years before being rescued in the summer of 2008.
I was watching an interview with Ingrid on HardTalk on BBC.
The interviewer asked her whether today, just like she did six years ago when contesting the presidential election, she still believed that the political authorities in Colombia should engage in talks with the FARC rebels.
Ingrid's answer was inspirational. "I will not tell the Colombian authorities what to do. But words are what make us different from other animals."
While reiterating her belief that time was up for the FARC rebels, Ingrid still advocated engagement.
Indeed, words are all we have. What a difference a word can make. I have come to realise this all the more since my child's birth. The use of one word over another, one tonality instead of another, the use of a statement rather than a command, can dramatically change a tense situation into a calm exchange or escalate it into a shouting match.
I believe in the power of words. I believe that dialogue can enable two people with opposing views to find a working relationship that allows them to hold on to their positions but also enables them to understand the other's viewpoint.
Hence the creation of this blog. I intend to share my ideas, my words with you in the hope that they can make a difference in someone's life, somewhere.