“Letters of the Alef-Beis. Holy letters. Strung together they make powerful words. The whole world was created through words. Holy letters, powerful words. The building blocks of the universe… Your words, too, are powerful – they can build small worlds, bringing out the positive or nurturing the negative in others. Words are powerful, in any language, and at all times.”
“Come on in and take a seat, girls, the session is about to begin.”
Suri and Rosy quickly found two empty places next to each other and sat down. “Isn’t it amazing that we both were accepted as counselors at the same camp, Suri?”
“It’s going to be a great summer. We are lucky to get into this camp. The directors are very choosy and they run the camp very professionally. The fact that all of the counselors have to come to this preparatory session two months before camp is proof of that!”
“Shhh….the directress wants to start!”
Mrs. Goldstein introduced herself, and welcomed all of the girls. “We were very careful to choose staff members who are known to be capable, responsible, strong in Yiddishkait, and who excel in caring about others. We want to bring out the best in our campers, and it depends on you counselors. Today’s session we will concentrate on the power of words; how you can make or break someone with just a few words. Please pay attention to the video presentation.”
The lights went out and everyone turned to watch the video. One by one, the letters of the Alef-Beis came flying onto the screen. Each one began as a tiny dot, then grew and grew until it filled the screen, burst in a flash of colors, and reappeared in a smaller size to dance with the other letters in the background. As this was happening a voice was heard over music and sound affects.
“Letters of the Alef-Beis. Holy letters. Strung together they make powerful words. The whole world was created through words. Holy letters, powerful words. The building blocks of the universe.
“Your words, too, are powerful – they can build small worlds, bringing out the positive or nurturing the negative in others. Words are powerful, in any language, and at all times.”
The letters faded out, and a series of scenarios were shown.
Words can nurture negative:
Shoshanna is ready to go to lineup, eager to start the day. Her counselor looks her over and sighs. “Shoshanna, you can’t go out looking like a shlump. Your hair is a mess and your shoes are untied. Let me help you.” Shoshanna’s shoulders slump, and the sparkle in her eyes disappear, as she lets her counselor brush her hair and tie her shoes.
Or words can produce positive:
“Shoshanna, I’m so glad that you are excited to start your day. Before you go, please check to see if anything needs fixing. Your hair looked so nice when you brushed it into a ponytail yesterday; can you do it that way again? Also, I wouldn’t want you to trip on your untied shoelace. Can you do it up yourself? You’re a very capable girl!”
Words can nurture negative:
The campers are davening. A counselor sees a camper who is daydreaming. “Esty,” she hisses, “what kind of davening is that? If you skip half the words it’s worse than saying nothing.” Esty looks up, shocked, and decides that she’d be better off not davening at all; after all, as her counselor pointed out, half a prayer is a blessing in vain.
Or words can produce positive:
“Esty, each word that you daven is like a pearl. The Malachim are gathering your words and decorating crowns for Hashem Yisborach with them. Don’t miss out on any pearls!”
Words can nurture negative:
Everyone is at the table. The counselor brings a big bowl of soup to the table. Blumie doesn’t want any. “Blumie, why don’t you want some? Are you on a diet?” Blumie blushes. She wonders. “Did the counselor say that because she thinks that I really do need to be on a diet?” Blumie stops eating more than a minimal amount of food in camp, and gets sick.
Or words can produce positive:
“Blumie, don’t you want any soup? You don’t have to have any if you don’t want, but you do have to make sure to have some healthy food. I’m sure you’ll choose to eat what is right for you.”
Words can nurture negative:
Baila is holding a bat. She swings at the ball, and…..misses. Strike one.
She swings again. Strike two.
“Baila, you’re a great musician…..but a lousy baseball player.” Strike three.
Baila refuses to play next time.
Or words can produce positive:
“Baila, one more try, you can do it. Just keep your eye on the ball…” Strike three.
“That’s okay. The main thing is to keep trying. I’m sure that each time you try, you are getting closer to success.”
By the end of the summer, Baila has managed quite a few hits.
Words can nurture negative:
“Hurry up, Chani, or you’ll be late for night activity. You are so slow. We are always waiting for you. You are never ever on time.” Chani is moving in slow motion. She feels like she is allergic to rushing. The more she is told off the slower she moves.
Or words can produce positive:
“Chani, I really appreciate the effort you put into getting to night activity in time, yesterday. The rest of the group is ready, now. I’m sending them on ahead, and let’s see if you and I can finish up here and catch up to them. I know that you are trying your best.”
Words can nurture negative:
Shiri is carrying negel vasser to her bed and trips, drenching all around her. “Oh Shiri, you are such a schlimazel. Go get your towel and dry up the puddle.” Shiri turns to get her towel, and accidentally knocks over another girl’s negel vasser. Her counselor just rolls her eyes.
Or words can produce positive:
“Shiri, I know it was an accident, it can happen to anyone. You’re a responsible girl, so get your towel, and clean it up.”
Shiri turns around, careful not to spill another negel vasser, and gets her towel to clean up.
“Powerful words. Words can reveal and nurture good traits or (chas v’shalom) the opposite. Make sure that your words are of the kind that brings out the best in others.”
“Wow!” exclaimed Rosy, “that was one powerful presentation.”
Mrs. Goldstein waited for silence and then spoke. “You might think that words only have an effect on those who actually hear them. The Rebbe, however, has taught us that the words themselves have the power to bring out latent traits in the person spoken about, EVEN IF HE NEVER HEARS THEM! Speaking positively about people will bring out their good traits. So don’t kvetch about your campers, speak positively to them and about them, and you will bring out the best in them!”
Suri raised her hand. “But what if you have a camper who is a terror? There always seems to be one child in every bunk who makes a counselor’s life miserable!”
“The Rebbe has given us a most amazing insight – that the worse the person seems on the outside, the greater the internal potential. If Hashem Yisborach gave a person such difficult personality traits to overcome, He must have given him great inner strength to accomplish that. By speaking to him and about him positively, we can help that person bring out those latent powers within him. He can and will transform his negative traits and become a truly outstanding individual; more about this at our next session.
“Meanwhile, remember, words are powerful! When it comes to positive words, DON’T STOP TALKING!”
The above story is fictional. The lesson is based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 27 p. 158-166.