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Words are more than mere vibrations of the vocal cords. The words we speak change us and affect those around us, and the words we think may determine who we will become. Words can heal, or they can be used as weapons.  

The U.S. Constitution is more than ink on an old piece of paper. Those words determine the mechanics of how our government operates. And while it is subject to interpretation by judges and violation by some government officials (usually in the name of national security) it is a set of words that we have agreed to follow.  

When heads of state deliver warlike rhetoric, the consequences could include whole countries becoming enemies of one another, and could result in the deaths of millions. Governments on our planet are made of words and of people acting upon those words. A business contract defines the actions and finances of companies and people.  

People on our planet have universally agreed to follow the spoken, written and enacted word. Since nearly everyone agrees to follow this system, it becomes something from which we cannot escape.  

Thoughts are made of words, too. What we think about ourselves shapes us. What we think about others shapes our behavior; whether we will show kindness or cruelty, whether we treat someone with deference or haughtiness.  

There are some Zen monks who have given a vow of eternal silence. I do not understand the full reasoning behind this commitment, but it is clear that they believe words have an impact and are sometimes counterproductive. It seems that, according to Zen Buddhists, words get in the way of the perception of truth.  

Unfortunately, most of us must speak and do not have a choice about this. We are not at liberty or disposition to live silently in a monastery. We must use the commonly accepted means of relating to others in society, and if we fail to do that, there are negative repercussions.  

If parents who raised you told you every day that you're worthless, it could ruin your development. I was never told that by parents. I was lucky to be raised by parents who nurtured my abilities.  

However, my schoolmates were very unkind, and said detracting things to me on a constant, daily basis. (This was accompanied by physical attack upon me by other students in school. This didn't happen every day, but happened enough.) Thus, it is a wonder that I didn't turn out a lot worse than I did.  

When someone is a prisoner, whether this is through a court process or through a kidnapping, the words of oppressors become a sinister weapon.  

Words become thoughts, thoughts become a person's composition, and thoughts create speech and action. Our thoughts are greatly influenced by words we hear, and our thoughts construct our character.  

When someone becomes psychotic or depressed, there is a malfunction in the thoughts. In the case of depression, the words that you think, namely, you thoughts, have negative, painful and gloomy content. In the case of psychosis, the words of the internal dialog have become split off from the commonly held beliefs of society, the words may be bizarre, grandiose, and will not make sense to anyone else. Depression, bipolar illness and schizophrenia all include changes to the thoughts, and this is apparent partly through the words that are spoken.  

Talk therapy, even though it doesn't contain something chemical (as opposed to a medication) can have a great deal of impact. Improperly done talk therapy can damage the recipient, while talk therapy done with finesse and gentleness can be of great benefit