The Stories We Speak Into Being

Originally posted to my substack JAN 14, 2026 AT 6:39 AM

Words paint the scene. I believe that’s why so many writers write. I haven’t really pegged myself as a writer; I just like to express. Any of you reading this might notice my punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar are most likely not getting an A+. But expressing through words is what we do as humans.

I love the concept of words creating things—both metaphorically and structurally. When you give meaning to something that has yet to be explained, you breathe life into it. The unnamed plant takes on a life when the discoverer gives it shape through either their name or, hopefully, a description of what it looks like or what it does—a portrait of this new thing stepping out into the world.

Anyone who hates to hear their name called understands this so well, even though most of us make our name our name by who we are.

We can say something is comforting, and you don’t even have to know what the something is to feel warm and soft. Not all things are felt the same way. Perspective, as it is with everything, creates how each person experiences words.

So when great thinkers and efficient life hackers remind us that our words matter, they are no doubt speaking truth.

When we start our day with a positive message—either from a horoscope, affirmation, a reading, or ourselves in front of a mirror, Stuart Smalley style (“because you’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like you!”)—you can definitely feel the difference than if you’re told someone is going to get you today, or your partner is cheating on you (little tip: try not to do that to yourself on purpose), or you tell yourself it’s Monday so it’s going to suck. I’m not advocating blatant disregard for reality, but there is something about the way someone strives for their highest potential when they believe they are being guided to do so. I’d like to think both angles are true.

If our goal is the best possible outcome, this puts a responsibility on the way we speak to ourselves as well as others. After all, we don’t live in a void—at least we aren’t perceiving it that way—so what one does affects the other. We have the power to create the most beautiful story, to ease tension with ironic wordplay, and spark momentum in people lacking hope. At the same time, we have the power to stoke fear, anger, reduce someone’s feeling of worth, and give them that lack of hope. When our voices are needed to stand up for what is right, that’s where hope is needed most. Truth is a powerful force.

How, then, do we fight with truth when the people we’re telling it to believe the exact opposite is their truth? This is where words have created in a distorted and malignant way.

I’ve been finding it hard to avoid reports of all the things that are happening. I’m not avoidant of reality; I just have three future world leaders who need to feel safe and loved so they can give their words of encouragement, compassion, and truth when it’s their time. They understand that humans can do terrible things, but they also know that’s not why we are here and that life is a beautiful gift. To squander it and let others make us feel we deserve less than the best we can create is blasphemy.

My entire inspiration to write this came from contemplating the weight words have in describing situations that are heartbreaking. If we take the emotion, descriptions, and labels away from a situation, all we have are facts. And hopefully, with those plain words, no one takes a side. Someone was killed. A life was taken.

What we hear instead are reasons as to why, disregard of sympathy. As a mother, this sits heavy on my chest because in all of this chaos, there are children watching—exposed and shaping. These future leaders of the world are being created by the scenes our words are painting.

The generations before us painted our scenes, and their ancestors painted theirs. The thing is, we get to choose how we put these expressions in perspective—how they play out. Whether your legacy ends with you or with the future incarnations encoded in the DNA you pass on, what you say and what you do lives on in the situations you were involved in, the words you leave behind.

It’s a tough responsibility, I know. How do you move this thick, heavy mass of energy we are all experiencing? By making it light. Words like hope, possibilities, and even tenacious get us through. When you start your day with “I’ve got this,” you create that energy. When you’re told to secure your mask first, it’s because you cannot help anyone else if you yourself are in need of help. Lead by example, uplift your neighbor, and make sure you uplift yourself every single day.

We cannot control how others see the same things we see. But observing how we thrive and connect when chaos is meant to pull us apart is a narrative that builds momentum. We create this story, and you owe it to yourself to narrate the best, most beautiful epic.

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