"Sticks and Stones" – The Lie We Were Told About Words

We’ve all heard the childhood chant:"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

It was taught to us as a shield — a way to toughen up, to ignore cruel words, to pretend they had no power.

But let’s tell the truth: words do hurt.

They wound. They linger. They echo in our heads long after the bruises have faded.

For many of us, the deepest scars weren’t from physical harm — they came from manipulation, gaslighting, name-calling, and silent shaming.

Words were used as weapons, and we were told to sit quietly and pretend they couldn’t touch us.

Well, not anymore.

Time to Stand in Our Power

The truth is, words have power — both to harm and to heal. To tear down and to build up.

To imprison… and to liberate.

Standing in your power means no longer minimising your pain just to make others comfortable. It means recognising when words are being used to control, silence, or belittle you, and refusing to shrink under them.

When someone uses words to:

• Twist the facts

• Undermine your self-worth

• Manipulate your emotions

• Dismiss your truth

…it’s not "just words."

It’s bullying. It’s emotional abuse. It’s control.

And it’s okay — in fact, it’s necessary — to call it out.

Call Out the Lies, Name the Games

Bullies rely on silence. Manipulators count on your confusion. Gaslighters hope you’ll keep doubting yourself.

But here’s the thing: your voice is powerful.

When you speak up - when you name what happened, when you call a lie a lie - the spell breaks.

Suddenly, the words that once hurt you start to lose their hold.Because truth has a higher frequency than deception.

And your clarity, your courage, your refusal to be silenced - they send ripples through the web of illusion others have tried to trap you in.

You Deserve to Be Heard

This isn’t about vengeance. It’s about sovereignty.

It’s about reclaiming your story, your truth, your right to name what’s real — and to walk away from anything that denies it.

If someone has tried to convince you that your pain wasn’t real…If they used clever words to twist your boundaries… If you’ve been told to "just get over it" when someone weaponised language against you...

Please know: you’re not too sensitive. You’re not imagining things.

You’re powerful enough to speak the truth.

Let the Old Rhyme Die

“Sticks and stones…” We can let it go now. Let’s teach the new chant:

"Words hold power — and so do I.

I speak the truth, and I don’t let lies fly.

I name what’s real and I claim my space.

No bully’s words can take my grace."

🌹 You Are Not Alone

This is a call to all truth-speakers, cycle-breakers, and soul-led beings who are ready to stop playing small.

Who are ready to say: “I see what you’re doing, and I choose something higher.”

Stand tall. Speak loud. Your voice is needed. Your words matter.

And your truth? That’s your greatest power of all.

Angela Orora 🌹

You can find my Chapter – Tipping Point: The Road To Reclaiming Your Personal Power in the book I Didn't Become Selfish I Became Harder to Manipulate here