Never Underestimate the Power of Three Words

I’ve had a phobia about injections my whole life. It’s so bad, in fact, that I’ve fainted during blood tests, and hurtled from examination rooms when left alone to stare at syringe dispensers too long.

Typically, a nurse or or doctor soothingly reassures me with a “don’t worry, it won’t hurt,” or “you’ll only feel a pinch.” But neither soothes nor reassures me, since I’m not afraid of pain. So usually, I only end up feeling worse, perpetuating the phobia.

Finding the right words to say means really understanding how a person (or an audience) feels.

I can’t think of a better example of that then the outstanding “It Gets Better” campaign aimed at gay teens and young adults who are often the victims of bullying and far worse. 

“It gets better,” especially when spoken in these heartfelt videos made by others who have experienced the same pain, opens doors of conversation that “C’mon, it’s not so bad” only slam shut.

Congrats to Dan Savage who started the movement, and to the hundreds of people with the courage and creativity to bare their souls, and share their stories, to make a difference.

Update on Tue, October 19, 2010 at 8:04AM by Frank J. Oswald

THE RIGHT WORDS MATTER. About a year ago, I wrote a blog titled “Does Climate Change Need a New Name?” suggesting that the term had too much political baggage and not enough urgency.

According to this article in The New York Times, a small town in Kansas has taken that advice, focusing (quite successfully) on saving energy and reducing our dependence on foriegn oil instead.

Terrific quote from the story: “Why did the conversation have to be about climate change? If the goal was to persuade people to reduce their use of fossil fuels, why not focus on issues that motivated them instead of getting stuck on something that did not?”