The Power Of Words

"But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling, like dew, upon a thought produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think." -Lord George Gordon Byron, 1788-1824

Today is, of course, Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent. Whether that means something to you or not, it certainly is a time of spiritual reflection, not to mention another sign of warmer weather ahead.

Something entered my mind earlier this week, and it's kept returning as I've waded my way through classes and such. It's simply the idea that the words we write can be very powerful. Powerful enough to shape governments, rally people together for great causes, or to lead them to doom. Now, I just have a little blog here that a few people like to read every now and then, but every post I make gives me a nice little feeling of satisfaction, like I've contributed to something a bit bigger than anything I could think of by myself. On a much, much larger scale, this must be how great novelists, sports journalists, poets, and songwriters feel when they've completed one of their works. They've produced something that hundreds or thousands of people will read and enjoy. Maybe that's why I've always liked to read and write so much, and why I've kept up an English minor throughout the trials of an engineering curriculum. Something to think about. (Along with the possibility of a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages, which I think would only needlessly split the country down the middle even more, but I won't go there right now.)

In keeping with the words theme, I'd like to announce a few new blogs and journals I've been perusing lately (in addition to the ones I've got linked already):

• Gerritt has launched the brand-spanking new gerritt.net today! He's always got something interesting to say, often a different perspective on some of the activities we share. I'll take this opportunity to wish him a happy birthday, as well. (Good timing, eh?)
• Paakow started coming to Wesley this year, and I've found his LiveJournal to be intriguing.
• Brittlea, faithful Secretary of Wesley this year and all around cheerful gal, has her LiveJournal up, as well. I enjoy checking it out and getting her take on worldly events, too.
• I sometimes cruise the net looking at other people's blogs, just to see what people are writing about and what ideas they have for their sites. chrisruzin.net is one that stuck out in my mind recently, for just various reasons. I'm just a fan of intelligent postings, I guess.

I know there are more from my various friends and acquaintances that I'm probably missing, so drop me a link sometime. I'd love to see what you have to say.