Words are powerful. Words destroy. Words build up. Words must be acknowledged. And most of all, words can change lives.
Some years ago, while on a business trip in South Africa I became very aware of various sayings or anecdotes. In retrospect, I know it was a divine moment . Seemingly, everywhere I went on that trip, from bumper stickers on the back of a car, to the billboards that lined the highway, even the elevator that took me to the floor of my hotel room - sayings seemed to be everywhere I looked. Noticing that I was being led to increase my level of both listening and observation, I felt impressed to write them down as I encountered them. I did so even after my return to my home in the U.S.
The list continued to build and build and over the course of about 4 years, I had compiled over two hundred of these thoughts. While many of them came from both bumper stickers as well as things heard on television many of them came from books that I’ve read and dear friends and colleagues - In fact, I have quite of few of them from one my most beloved mentors and friends (and Pastor) Joel A. Brooks, Jr. - things caught from time to time from his teachings.
I don’t think of myself as a writer, really, although, as of this writing, I’ve been published nationally four other times. Actually, I consider myself a senior beginner in the discipline of global diversity, equity and inclusion having worked with some of the world’s largest brands and companies over my, now, 25 years in the industry. As you can imagine, I’ve learned at least two or three things over that time but even with all of my experience, I always try to have a posture of learning and listening.
And this is the origin of this collection of thoughts.
My hope is that you are inspired and even challenged by some of them. This was a fun project for me. And I haven’t stopped collecting the sayings but let’s call this Volume I . Remember, your words have power - Use them wisely. Use them thoughtfully - and most of all use them graciously.
Loving You More, Skot
