{"id":211688,"date":"2025-08-09T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T04:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/?p=211688"},"modified":"2026-04-30T20:30:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:30:02","slug":"the-emotional-impact-of-words-celebrating-life-and-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/the-emotional-impact-of-words-celebrating-life-and-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"The Emotional Impact of Words: Celebrating Life and Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n

This week, I celebrated my 57th birthday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I have to say\u2014birthdays have grown on me. I enjoy them now more than ever. My 50s have easily been my favorite decade, and each year seems to get a little better than the one before.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For this birthday, I told my wife all I wanted was a small party at our home. It had been a while since we\u2019d hosted people, and I was craving the warmth of meaningful connection in the safety and comfort of our own space. The evening was exactly what I hoped for\u2014beautiful people gathered around a beautiful table, laughter and conversation flowing as easily as the food and drink.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After dinner, as dessert was served, one of our friends suggested something unexpected:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go around the table and share our favorite thing about Jon.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As an Enneagram Two, I both loved and hated the idea. My soul craves affirmation, yet I feel the embarrassment of having the spotlight turned on me. But as each person shared, I heard some of the kindest, most thoughtful, and deeply meaningful words spoken over me in a long time. The next day, I took a few minutes to write those words down\u2014precious memories I didn\u2019t want to lose.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

When Words Build and When They Break<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While enjoying a beautiful Saturday in the PNW with the top down on the MINI Cooper, I kept thinking about those words. How powerful they were. How they filled my heart. And, in contrast, how painful it is when those kinds of words are absent\u2014or worse, replaced by criticism, accusation, judgment, or assumption.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I was reminded of a quote from Bill Johnson:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t live by the praises of men, you won\u2019t die by their criticisms.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true. If we let the opinions of others define us\u2014good or bad\u2014we\u2019ll be tossed around like a leaf in the wind. Their words can inspire or crush us, but they should never determine who we are.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Three Things I\u2019m Reminded Of<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Words Matter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Proverbs 18:21 tells us, \u201cThe tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Our words can breathe life into someone\u2019s spirit\u2014or cut them down to the core. They can build courage, hope, and confidence\u2014or sow doubt, fear, and shame. Every word we speak plants something in the heart of another. The question is: what kind of harvest will it produce?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2. Words Don\u2019t Define Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As much as I treasure the affirmations I heard from my friends, my worth isn\u2019t determined by human opinion. My value is defined by my Creator, not by public applause or private critique. When I live the life God designed for me, others may see it and affirm it\u2014but they are not the source of my identity. God is.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3. Character Is What Lasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

More than anything, how we live matters. Day after day, we plant seeds of character\u2014whether or not anyone notices. I\u2019ve gone through seasons where affirmation was rare and doubt was constant. But I\u2019ve learned this: if your direction is guided by the applause (or the criticism) of others, you\u2019ll eventually drift off course. True north is found in integrity, not popularity. Leaders who chase the approval of the masses eventually lose both their way and their influence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Live with eternity in mind. Let your character\u2014not the shifting winds of opinion\u2014determine your path.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A Final Thought<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll hold on to the kind words my friends shared this week. They were a gift, a reminder that God\u2019s work in us often shows more than we realize. But I\u2019ll also remember that my ultimate affirmation comes from the One who created me, called me, and knows me completely.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Words matter. But they aren\u2019t the whole story.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Character matters more.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":211695,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

This week, I celebrated my 57th birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to say\u2014birthdays have grown on me. I enjoy them now more than ever. My 50s have easily been my favorite decade, and each year seems to get a little better than the one before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this birthday, I told my wife all I wanted was a small party at our home. It had been a while since we\u2019d hosted people, and I was craving the warmth of meaningful connection in the safety and comfort of our own space. The evening was exactly what I hoped for\u2014beautiful people gathered around a beautiful table, laughter and conversation flowing as easily as the food and drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dinner, as dessert was served, one of our friends suggested something unexpected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go around the table and share our favorite thing about Jon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an Enneagram Two, I both loved and hated the idea. My soul craves affirmation, yet I feel the embarrassment of having the spotlight turned on me. But as each person shared, I heard some of the kindest, most thoughtful, and deeply meaningful words spoken over me in a long time. The next day, I took a few minutes to write those words down\u2014precious memories I didn\u2019t want to lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Words Build and When They Break<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While enjoying a beautiful Saturday in the PNW with the top down on the MINI Cooper, I kept thinking about those words. How powerful they were. How they filled my heart. And, in contrast, how painful it is when those kinds of words are absent\u2014or worse, replaced by criticism, accusation, judgment, or assumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was reminded of a quote from Bill Johnson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t live by the praises of men, you won\u2019t die by their criticisms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true. If we let the opinions of others define us\u2014good or bad\u2014we\u2019ll be tossed around like a leaf in the wind. Their words can inspire or crush us, but they should never determine who we are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three Things I\u2019m Reminded Of<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Words Matter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 18:21 tells us, \u201cThe tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our words can breathe life into someone\u2019s spirit\u2014or cut them down to the core. They can build courage, hope, and confidence\u2014or sow doubt, fear, and shame. Every word we speak plants something in the heart of another. The question is: what kind of harvest will it produce?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Words Don\u2019t Define Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As much as I treasure the affirmations I heard from my friends, my worth isn\u2019t determined by human opinion. My value is defined by my Creator, not by public applause or private critique. When I live the life God designed for me, others may see it and affirm it\u2014but they are not the source of my identity. God is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Character Is What Lasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than anything, how we live matters. Day after day, we plant seeds of character\u2014whether or not anyone notices. I\u2019ve gone through seasons where affirmation was rare and doubt was constant. But I\u2019ve learned this: if your direction is guided by the applause (or the criticism) of others, you\u2019ll eventually drift off course. True north is found in integrity, not popularity. Leaders who chase the approval of the masses eventually lose both their way and their influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Live with eternity in mind. Let your character\u2014not the shifting winds of opinion\u2014determine your path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Final Thought<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll hold on to the kind words my friends shared this week. They were a gift, a reminder that God\u2019s work in us often shows more than we realize. But I\u2019ll also remember that my ultimate affirmation comes from the One who created me, called me, and knows me completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words matter. But they aren\u2019t the whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Character matters more.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"The Power of Words (and the Limits of Praise)\n\nThis week I turned 57. ?\nMy one birthday request? A small dinner at home with people I love.\n\nAfter dessert, a friend suggested, \u201cLet\u2019s go around the table and share our favorite thing about Jon.\u201d\n\nAs an Enneagram Two, I hated the spotlight\u2014but I loved the affirmation. The words shared that night were some of the most thoughtful and life-giving I\u2019ve heard in a long time.\n\nLater, I was reminded:\n\nIf you live by people\u2019s praise, you\u2019ll die by their criticism. \u2013 Bill Johnson\n\nHere\u2019s what I\u2019m learning:\n1?? Words matter\u2014they can bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21).\n2?? Words don\u2019t define us\u2014God does.\n3?? Character lasts longer than anyone\u2019s opinion.\n\nYour words have the power to plant something in someone\u2019s heart today. Make sure it\u2019s life.\n\n? Read the full reflection at the link in my bio.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[31],"tags":[93,3,58,6,7],"class_list":["post-211688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main","tag-community","tag-family","tag-leadership","tag-life","tag-ministry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/create-a-highly-detailed-and-sharp-focus-image-of-a-4.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pzg9k-T4k","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1567,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/ten-reasons-i-love-my-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":0},"title":"Ten Reasons I Love My Church","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"January 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This month my family and I are celebrating five years since we made the decision to leave our Indiana home and relocate to Colorado Springs. On our first Sunday here in June 2012, we attended New Life Church and have been here ever since. At that time, we had no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":210391,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/the-ripple-effect-of-contagious-positivity-in-teams\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":1},"title":"The Ripple Effect of Contagious Positivity in Teams","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"March 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Some people possess a remarkable ability to emanate contagious positivity, uplifting their environment even amidst adversity. These 'positive energizers' enhance team dynamics with virtues like kindness and gratitude. Conversely, 'de-energizers' drain energy and morale. Successful leaders cultivate positivity, recognizing its pervasive benefits across professional and personal spheres, improving well-being, relationships,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"silhouette of people during golden hour","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-207896.jpeg?fit=1200%2C637&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-207896.jpeg?fit=1200%2C637&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-207896.jpeg?fit=1200%2C637&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-207896.jpeg?fit=1200%2C637&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-207896.jpeg?fit=1200%2C637&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1527,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/a-few-thoughts-about-anti-social-media\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":2},"title":"A Few Thoughts about “Anti-Social” Media","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"November 10, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"If you've been on social media for more than five minutes, you know that it can be hotbed for lively discussion. Particularly in the last few weeks it seems that conversations have become more heated. More volatile. More opinionated. More political. More personal. Less kind. Less loving. Less tolerant. More\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_0168.jpg?fit=654%2C646&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_0168.jpg?fit=654%2C646&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_0168.jpg?fit=654%2C646&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1130,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/living-in-the-spontaneous\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":3},"title":"Are You Too Busy?","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"July 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019re like my wife and I, there are events on your family calendar to which you have committed. It includes date nights, birthday parties, weddings, etc. Personally, while I see the value of these planned events, I appreciate a calendar that isn\u2019t overwhelmingly full and has capacity for down\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Calendar_0","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Calendar_0-650x487.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1221,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/lets-take-a-journey-are-you-ready\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":4},"title":"Let’s Take a Journey \u2014\u00a0Are You Ready?","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"September 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Some of you have wondered over the last two years, \"What does he do anyway?\" This video, in general, pretty much summarizes it.","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.vimeocdn.com\/video\/488163731_640.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1117,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/did-that-worship-leader-really-say-lechor\/","url_meta":{"origin":211688,"position":5},"title":"Did that Worship Leader Really Say “LECHOR?”","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"February 23, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Just last week I received a post on my Facebook timeline for someone that I spent many years with leading worship together. She said: Hi! Thinking about you this morning. I work at a place where we have chapel once a week. I think of you most weeks when we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211688"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":212538,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211688\/revisions\/212538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/211695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=211688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=211688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}