The Reality of Speech

We engage in it every day. With others, with G-d, even to ourselves. Very often, we do it without thinking. How important is our speech? Are the things we say? Is the way in which we say them?

A force in the world since before its inception, speech is highlighted as one of the handful of modalities Hashem used to create the world. He spoke and a new reality came into being. He named and identities took shape. Expression yielded existence. 

The translation of thought into action, speech, therefore, is at the core of who we are, our very essence. It’s how we came to be. Created as “speaking beings,” it’s this “breath of G-d” He imbued in us which separates us from all other creations. It's how G-d chose to elevate us and how we in turn accept the blessing, and responsibility, of partnering with Hashem. Through speech we, each in our own way and in our own lives, further His process of creation and uphold the world. 

Both our words and our voices make up our speech. Our words convey information while our voices express our essence. Our tone, our breath … the intangible parts of speech are what relay the intangible parts of us.

Speech brings forth our most intimate and personal selves. It's the connection between the internal and the external. It's how we represent ourselves. What we stand for, our beliefs, our ideals. The first step to living them is to speak them, to own them. When we speak our values, they take shape and concretize in our minds. They become important and real. Words are more substantive than thoughts. Words beget action.

Through speech ideas spread and evolve, mature and strengthen. As they jump from one to another, our ideas mingle and a more enlightened perspective is born. Through the give and take of rich discussion we learn and grow, offering ourselves to the world, using our talents to affect others. Words spread knowledge. Beautiful words inspire.

Language is how we connect. Our words are the bridge between us. We create relationships and opportunities, we empathize and we build. The spoken word allows for nuance and depth of feeling. Our emotions apparent in our tone and mannerisms. It’s how we share ourselves and deeply understand one another. Conversation strengthens bonds.

As we move through life the importance of our words become more weighty, more influential. Our obligation to build with them, even greater. How we express ourselves affects the quality of our lives and the lives of those around us. What we say and how we say it are both equally as powerful. We can choose to speak good, to create good. We can choose to build and to connect. We can choose to create our realities.