Write softly and do not carry a big stick. – JHL
Does that sound like a twist on a quote we have all heard before? Sorry, Teddy Roosevelt.
Whenever I write, I try my best not to use words or thoughts that could harm my readers. They hear enough words every day that hurt their hearts, crush their dreams, and ruffle their feathers.
Soft words invite my readers into a world where kindness matters, and hearts are hugged. Harsh words, those that carry a big stick, sow discord and cause hearts to ache.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
I pray the same over the words I write. I’ve often said I want the epitaph on the back of my gravestone to read … Her words mattered.
This past week, Lynn Jones, a longtime newspaper journalist, faced criticism for offering consoling words to Liam Cohen, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ coach, after the team lost in the playoffs to the Buffalo Bills. He coached the Bills to a 13-4 record. “Congratulations on your success, young man. You hold your head up, alright?” Coach Cohen became emotional.
After every game, a coach stands before reporters (a.k.a. the firing squad) and is pelleted with questions. Those questions are asking the coach to explain why they lost. This pours salt in the wound. Lynn Jones decided to bring compassion to the table.
I’ll take kindness and compassion over “professional journalism” any day. Her words shed light on the cruelty of the weekly inquisition losing coaches face. No coach has ever said, “Look, we worked hard and planned to lose this game.”
I’m in an Indiana University football state of mind. Every time I hear Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback, speak, my heart smiles, and I want to hug him. His words endear me to him. He is humble and ever so kind to his mother, who has MS. He credits Coach Cignetti and his team, especially the Hoggies, his offensive line. We need more Fernandos and fewer, well, you know those guys.
Catching Coach Cignetti smiling makes my day. He’s so serious and intense, so when he smiles, you know his joy bucket has tipped over, and he can’t help himself. I often say to Chuck, “How can anyone not love college football?”
Yes, I’m meandering with my writing this week. Some days, I enjoy writing for the pure joy of telling stories and writing down my thoughts. Destination … unknown.
Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard
As I write this column, I’m sitting at my kitchen table, enjoying the flickering of a burning candle while devouring a few store-bought peanut butter no-bake cookies, my current craving obsession. A bit of snow is on its way here. Have I mentioned I love watching the snow fall? I have on my favorite comfy slippers, and the bedclothes are in the dryer. Did anyone else have a mother who called the sheets “bedclothes”? For me, that’s an endearing phrase.
Did you know that a person who loves words is called a logophile? Any other logophiles out there? When I hear or read a new word, I write it down along with its meaning unless it’s a word I don’t like, meaning it feels harsh or clumsy.
I save words for use in my columns and books. I had a Zoom call with my team at Beatitudes Publishing this week. Yes, we have a deadline and a publishing date(ish). No, I’m not telling it. I don’t need the mental distress.
The pressure of writing a second book (and more) is real. I fear it will go from a TBR (To be read) to a DNF (Did not finish). I fear my words will not make a difference.
One of the most challenging things writers face is rejection. I remember getting my first rejection email. Hundreds of writers submitted their work to a very popular Christian community. I took that rejected piece and turned it into a column that received a lot of positive comments. The thing about writers is that we tend to take rejection personally (like, who doesn’t?) We hear, “You’re not good enough” or “You’ll never be like so-and-so.” Oh, the daggers of comparison are real.
I will continue to write soft words and not carry a big stick. Big sticks poke and prod and can do significant harm. I hope my words offer my readers a soft place to land as they read. I hope my words encourage hearts weary and worn from life’s challenges. I hope my words help others see the goodness of God in a world that sometimes challenges our Faith.
So, my words this week didn’t really have a destination, but I hope you enjoyed my meandering. And with that, I’ll end with GO HOOSIERS!
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com.