"I was very pleased when I learned that Barry Gibb, had been awarded a Knighthood in the recent New Years Honours list. I have always liked the songs by the Bee Gees, but have held a special place for Barry singing, 'It's only words'. I especially find the last line of the song so meaningful: 'It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away.' Oh, if only men knew how true that statement is!
The Irish love their glass of Guinness but take it from me, they value the words that come out of their mouths more than the drink that enters it. Many English ladies who are enraptured and ensnared by their words ascribe their success to 'The Blarney'. Let me tell you, ladies, forget those traditional jokes about 'the thick Irishman' because it ain't 'The Blarney', it's 'The Brain'. The Irish man has always prized the use of words, especially in the courtship stakes. He has always known which part of a woman to stroke first to command their undivided attention; that's why their ego is first on the list! Some women like complimenting on their attractive looks, some on their intelligence and others on their independence of mind, but whatever floats their boat, a bit of well-chosen flattery rarely goes astray. The thing never to forget though is that when it comes to finding love, every woman has a heart to lose along the way; and in my estimation, words are more capable of stealing it and keeping it than any other kind of snatch and grab!
Having listened to the Bee Gees' song again, my mind went to a number of consequences a word can mean, not just in the courtship stakes, but in the popularity poll and in the race of life. After some thought, I came up with a few choice examples where adding, subtracting or changing one word can make a significant difference to one's intent, actions and result.
Just as the words that all of us long to hear like, 'I love you' or 'Please be mine' tend to be grouped in threes, the words that we never want to hear are invariably grouped in fours. Words that say things like, 'I don't love you...You will die soon...I found someone else.....You can't have children... Let's just be friends...I never loved you....etc.'
Ever since time began, there have always been occasions when so much hung upon the difference that a single word can make like Yes or No... Will or Won't...Shall or Shan't...Can or Can't. Either adding or subtracting a word can make a considerable difference to the happiness of another and their sense of importance and self-worth.
So if you want to make a difference to the next person who comes knocking on your door, upon meeting them don't just politely say, 'Can I help you', but instead change the emphasis completely by adding just one more word, 'How can I help you?' The first illustration indicates that you are willing to while the latter states firmly that you want to!" William Forde: January 8th, 2018.
https://youtu.be/Iy_bJelwa0c