We’ve had this weird thing in our office lately. Everyone on my side of the building has recently been in a car accident. Hennie had a bumper-bashing this week in the morning traffic, Dhiresh has had 2 ‘car-meetings-in-awkward positions’, Marco got bumped by another car, Carl was in a highway pile-up, Chevaughn got badly knocked in her vehicle and I hit a pole in the parking lot (I’m embarrassingly the only one responsible for my own accident!) Naturally, we’ve all been talking about our bad car ‘joo-joo’ at the moment and how it’s spreading through the office. Very mature of us!
I’m not a believer in magic and curses and such things – I’m sure some of you are and I mean no disrespect – but I just don’t buy into it. However, with all these weird car accidents, I could be convinced in some little way! This week I have even started asking others in the office if they’ve crashed their cars lately. Talk about putting bad words on people! I am quite embarrassed by my behaviour!
A few weeks ago I mentioned that there’s power in words and that they have the ability to bring hope during the darkest days. Well, words can also do quite the opposite. The people I’ve told about the ‘bad car joo-joo’ may drive a little less carefully because they believe somewhere deep inside that they’re destined to have a little bashing of metal. With any luck – they’ll be driving a little better to avoid it!
A while ago, I worked in a prison programme (no I was not incarcerated – though that would make for a great story!) and the most vital words that the prisoners needed to hear was that they were not bad people. They needed to hear that they were decent guys who had made bad mistakes and terrible choices. I cannot begin to tell you how these simple words opened up the world of possibility to them. Boys who were told that they were ‘bad’, ‘useless’, ‘unwanted’, ‘evil’, throughout their lives were given the power to break those words and label themselves ‘good’. The results were astounding!
Two of the guys in our group were released shortly after our year together was up. One, Sinomfana, went on to study an Arts Certification and now works in a local theatre where he’s been promoted twice. The other, Lehlohonolo, completed his Matric after being released and then studied Electrical Engineering at a good South African Technikon. He’s been employed as an engineer ever since and is dating a young lady who he proudly calls ‘the best treated woman on earth!’
Do I have to convince you further that there’s power in words? Ok. Well. This year Natalie Maroun and our CEO, Ricky Robinson told me that we’re going to deliver greater things in our Marketing area. I initially felt a sense of mild panic. I’ve upped the budget, so I’ve upped the expectations. But after hearing their constant great dreams, praise and encouragement, I tell you, there’s nothing I can’t deliver!
May I be brave and suggest that what we label people, they are very likely to be. Don’t diminish people’s potential by calling them weak. Though people may not be strong, call them strong anyway and build them to that word.
Right. I hereby officially refrain from putting bad words on people. No more car joo-joo! Why don’t you try to keep your words sacred this week and help others walk tall with you? Have a great week!
Cheers,
Jo
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