People who talk a lot say some squirrelly things. It’s probably simply a product of the amount of words coming out. We’ve all said plenty of dumb, thoughtless and hurtful things in our lives. But, good words have the power to change us.

Take for example this amazing story of intrigue and mystery via the use of language. The ability to talk in a simple yet secret method, proved to be no less important than those taking on the enemy face to face.

One of the many things I love about this story is the fact that these men didn’t try to create a legacy by anything other than being themselves. Their desire to fight for freedom was all that was needed. I like this because it reminds me that we all have a role in making this world better. Some of us will fight our enemies in the front lines. But most of us are behind the scenes. Most of us could see ourselves as irrelevant to the greater good. But this testimony proves otherwise.

Each of us has an important part to play in our lives that will improve the world around us. Our circles of influence are equally important to those in them as anyone else. We need to remember that we can improve another person’s life simply with the words we speak.

This was one of the main reasons that I have loved teaching group fitness and personal training. I loved being able to work hard physically and encourage others to try their hardest at the same time. Most people don’t enjoy physical pain, even in a workout. But since we all need to exercise, I thought teaching was one of the best ways to be the kind of helper that came easily to me.

Like all teachers, there have been numerous times over my career that people have said something like, “I could hear you talking in my head…” Of course, I wasn’t technically ever talking specifically to any one person, but the fact that people remember a small thing like an exercise class, gives some levity to the words we speak to those we care about the most.

If for no other reason than because we can, let’s invest our words wisely, improving those around us, and increasing the value of life.