Do Words Really Hurt?

Do you remember the childhood saying " Stick and stones will hurt my bones but words will never hurt me"
I remember reciting that quote throughout my childhood. I was teased a lot as a child and even then I realized that words hurt too.  I still remember some of the hateful things that kids said to me growing up. Throughout the years I have learned to accept and love the things that I was teased about but it took me awhile to get there. 

With that being said I believe that words hurt just as much as a punch to the face, especially when the words are said by someone you love.  Even as an adult I let people words affect me.  Sometimes I let what people say affect my mood, and I still don't know why.  Now I don't know if words hurt me because its the truth (because you know they say that the truth hurts) or are people just that thoughtless about what comes out of their mouth.  I think it can be a little of both. I know that I can't expect people to be the way that I want them to be but they can be thoughtful in the whole process.  I just want people to treat me the way I treat them. Talk to me the way I talk to them. Some people feel like that they can't get their point across unless they are harsh about it, like I am capable of getting the point without you being ugly.

I try to not hurt people with my words.  I used to be harsh with my words, mostly when I'm angry, but that's not an excuse.  Most times, it is not about what is being said but how it is being said.  In 2010 and this year I have really been working on my delivery.  When it comes to certain people I sensor myself a little. I have started to pick and choose my words carefully, just like I pick and choose my arguments. Sometimes it is not even worth the time.

And why is it that people don't know how to keep their mouth shut.  Shut up sometimes, we could have finished this conversation without that last little tidbit you just had to throw in there.  Why is it that some people must have the last word.  I just want to scream Shut The Fuck Up!!!!!

For people words not to affect me, I have to change my mindset.  I can tell myself all day long that I am not going to let what someone say affect me but at the end of the day, I do.  I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I get defensive and try to explain my actions, hell I'm grown, why do I have to explain my actions to another grown motherfucker.  I don't have to, that's a choice I choose to make every time I feel that somebody  words have affected me. I got to do better.

I am a work in progress, I can't say that enough.  Everyday is a lesson learned.