Weekly Summer Link-Up: My Favorite Quote

I am linking up with Monica from I Heart Grade 3 for her Weekly Summer Link Up! This week's topic is My Favorite Quote!

I have a confession to make. I have been OBSESSED with quotes for as long as I can remember. I would buy books full of quotes on random topics and keep journals of my favorites. I have always had such a fun time reading a quote and creating my own meaning for it or trying to find a way to connect it to my life. It's really hard to choose one favorite, I have so many! I love all of Dr. Seuss' words of wisdom, like 'You are who you are, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!'

I think, though, that my current must favorite quote was written by J.K. Rowling and spoken by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

I love words. I love getting to use them to tell a story or write a letter. I love memorizing the words in songs. I love figuring out how to pronounce words. I love learning new words, and getting to use them in conversation. I feel that words are important, so important that we need to be careful how we use them. This quote reminds me of the power of words.

Remember in school they told us to say "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!"? I could never get behind that statement, because I didn't agree with it. Words can hurt. No matter how much we deny it or hide from it or ignore it, words can hurt. A perfectly timed snide insult can stick with you, popping up into your brain when you least expected it. Hearing hurtful words over and over and over again can make you start to believe them, regardless of their truth.

On the flip side of that, words can be used to help ease hurt. A heart-felt apology can take some of the sting of an insult away. The compliments and assurances from friends can lesson the impact of a rough day.

I believe that words are one of the most important tools we have to express ourselves, and that we need to remember that our words can have an impact on others. As a kindergarten teacher I make sure my kinders know it's important for them to use their words kindly and not to hurt people's feelings. I also try to teach them that people will learn the most about them by the words they speak and how they speak them. 

What is your favorite quote? Link up and tell us all about it!

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