The Power of Again

Sometimes we are so used to saying certain words in the English language, that we don’t really pay attention to their power. For example, when you say I will never do this or that, the power of never doesn’t really hit you until you do the very thing you said you wouldn’t.  So much so, that you either laugh about it, or you totally regret it. Realizing the power of certain words can even change or shape your perception of life and how you live it, going forward.

There’s another word that I didn’t realize the power of, until a few days ago. And that word is, again. I know…doesn’t seem too powerful or weighty, right?  However, the significance and power lie within what this particular word indicates.  When you say again, it suggests that you’ve already done it. Just some examples…

She’s coming to my house again.

He’s taking my car to be fixed, again.

My Mom is cooking again.

They are going to make fun of me again.

All of these sentences imply that each one of these things have taken place before or multiple times. Without this one word, it can easily mean that this is the first time any of these things have ever happened…it changes the narrative completely! Taking away the word again, changes the sentence to an assumption or prediction, rather than a fact. All because it is supposedly about to happen rather than it has already happened.

I promise, I’m getting to my point.

A few days ago, I was visiting my brother and his family in New York, for my niece Chloe’s birthday.  The day of her party, her brother (my nephew) Jonah was playing a video game with his friends.  Now, he was playing against them virtually, but Chloe was watching every move and cheering him on. Her mother called her to come to the bathroom to make sure she was ready before we headed out to the party. Once she got to the bathroom, she yelled to Jonah up front and said, “Jonahhhh, did you win?”

He said, “I got first place.”  Chloe then said, “But did you win?”  

Now Chloe is five and her brother is 12.  She didn’t understand first, second, or third place…lol! He said, “Yes Chloe, I won.” Chloe then said, “Ok Jonah…make sure you win again, ok?”  Jonah simply replied, “Ok.”

Did you see that word? Yeah…the word I keep talking about…again.

Although Chloe had no idea what was really happening during his game, all she knew and was accustomed to was seeing him win.  Hence, the reason she used the word, again.

Is there someone in your life that is encouraging you to win? Or is there someone encouraging you to win, again? 

I learned a lot about Chloe’s investment in her brother’s victory. Lol!  Although she didn’t know what was going on and who was involved, all she cared about was that her brother, win! What I love is that she didn’t even ask for details while he was playing, she would just sit there and watch him. Again, Chloe didn’t care. She just knew what he’d done before, and she was just that confident he’d do it...uh huh…again!

I think we should all practice Chloe's idea of encouragement!   Those friends and family members that we’re close to, our mission must be to encourage them to keep winning…regardless as to whether we know or even understand all that is involved. Our goal has to be to make winning, normal.

I am convinced that cheering for those we love and even those we don’t know, can only have a positive outcome. Whether it’s a boost of confidence, reassurance of ability, or a simple "pep talk" to face whatever challenge is ahead, making sure that others win is sure to be infectious!

Again…again…again…watch the power of this word, transform you and everyone around you.

Whatever your win looks like, just make sure you do it…again😊