There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in, is a line from a Leonard Cohen song; and it’s seems to be the line that many recalled when they heard the news that the 82-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter had died.
Poring over the meaning of Cohen’s work was always challenging. How many times have we sat late in the evening listening to that depth of voice in often gloomy lyrics that brought a darkness to our night? We all needed a bit of gloom sometimes to bring meaning to what we felt.
He was a poet, an incredible wordsmith with a verbal fluency that touched something deep inside us.
Such a way with words and music, as in the wonderful song “Hallelujah” is a gift not afforded to many over the years; and yet words are a way in which we all communicate; the way we explain ourselves to others. In the beginning was the Word, says John’s gospel.
And yet, while sometimes words are all we have, we don’t always use them well.
The damage inflicted by bullies with taunting words can damage children for life. They say sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.
But they do, they can really cause psychological damage. And we now have the added worry that bullies (of all ages) have the internet when faceless people can target others online without even having to face them, never mind see the damage their words are causing.
Last week was anti-bullying week, with a special emphasis on keeping children safe online. We’re advised to look out for signs, such as when young people stop using their devices or seem nervous about using them.
Indeed, noticing a sudden reluctance to go to school is another sign that something may be happening to a child.
I have to say that it worries me when I hear that some schools don’t deal with the bullies properly, and the unfortunate wee victim ends up suffering.
There is a lot of information about anti-bullying week available. It also advises us to talk to our children, to have meaningful conversations. I think the most worrying words from young people are “I’m fine” and then they won’t open up.
But, we should keep the conversation going.
The theme of this year’s event is “power for good” and our words can be that.
Words of encouragement can boost people in ways that we may never know.
Adults going through a hard time, for whatever reason, often suffer in silence and can’t find the words to express how they feel.
There’s an advert on television at the moment in which a man says into the camera: “I’m in a dark place and it’s getting hard to keep going. It’s been building up inside for so long. I want to cry out loud for help, but the words just won’t come.”
Then we learn that, actually, this is what he said to a colleague a few years ago, in response to being asked simply “Are you OK?” and the man who had been having a difficult time now admits that “without that wee chat, I might not be here.”
The advert’s message is “asking, listening and talking can be life-changing.” It’s an initiative from an organisation, whose website is changeyourmindni.org
Mental health remains a major issue in Northern Ireland, and while we want the authorities to do more and put more resources into this, we can also take some personal responsibility. Who knows what the people around us are going through.
The harsh words we use can hurt people with mental health issues, but the simple, caring phrase “Are you OK?” could just touch someone at a time when they really need it.
Words of hate and racism also often go unchecked, when we stay silent instead of saying “no, you’re not speaking for me.”
Words can inspire, but they can also inflame. In the book of James, we’re told that the tongue can be a fire; and consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
Christians often forget that expressions of love and compassion should be their watchword.
James, again, says:
 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
People like me should take that to heart. It’s not easy holding your tongue at times, and in the cut and thrust of life (and even sport) we can “let rip” and say things we shouldn’t.
Worse still, I think, is the gossip that goes on and how many people are happy to engage in hurtful stuff about people, behind their back, when we don’t even know if it’s true or not. Why is it that when someone says something about you that’s true, people take convincing. But if you tell them a lie about you, they’ll believe it straight away.
In the Bond film, Goldfinger, the eponymous villain says to 007: “Choose your next witticism carefully, Mr. Bond – it may be your last.”
I wonder if we knew that the next sentence we uttered would be our last on this earth, what would we say. Would it be different to what you’re about to say?
While we all don’t have the ability of poets and songwriters, our simple words can have such a positive impact on the daily lives of others.
Often, hymn writers have penned lines which not only help us in our worship, but give us hope and reassurance.
In a world of uncertainly, what better reassurance than a famous old hymn written hundreds of years ago, but calming and relevant today:
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake.