Words are expensive.

I think on some level, almost everyone knows this.
But at the same time, we also dont know this.

And that's because we're taught this without knowing we were taught this.

"Watch your mouth."
"Change your tone."
"If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all"
"Words hurt"

Words hurt.
Words hurt.
Words hurts.

Sticks and stones may break my bones
And you can bet your *** that words hurt me

Words are important
But I say that words are expensive,
Simply because... they are.

If you don't believe me,
Think about the biggest secret you have

Now think about what it'll cost you to let it go.
Think about who it'll cost you.

If words weren't expensive, we'd tell all our secrets.
We'd talk about our biggest fears.
We'd shout out all of our dreams.

But most people can't do that...
The price is just too high.

Words are expensive.
And what makes it even worse is we don't even know the cost of them, until it's already been spoken.

I'm usually a quiet person.
I always have been. As a child, I was especially quiet compared to other children.

People mistook me for being shy.
Truthfully, I was afraid of my mouth writing checks that I knew I couldnt cash.

Im quick witted.

Sometimes I feel like my tongue is in a race with my thoughts.

Too many times I have spoken words that bought me nothing but instant regret.

Being careless with your words is like swiping a credit card and convincing yourself you'll never have to pay the bill

I've always tried to be careful with what I say
Its part of the reason I prefer to write.

At least when I write down my thoughts, I know the only thing i've bought is the pen and paper.

And maybe you're reading this right now
And you already know how expensive words can be.
Maybe you've spent those words, swiped that credit card
And now you've bought so much regret that youre drowning in the debt

But if you're reading this and are foolish enough to think that you're never paying for your words,

I dare you to ask yourself these questions:

If you could put a price on words, how much would they be?

Would you charge per word?
Or do you prefer to buy in bulk, and charge by the sentence?

Would some words be more expensive than others?

How much would it cost to say the word love?
How much would it cost to say hate?
Would you say those words more often?
Would you say them less?

Would you save up your money and speak only on special occasions?

What if you had to pay for every word you've ever written,
Every word you've ever typed?

Would you keep posting comments?
Would you stop using hashtags?

Think about it
Think about freedom of speech
And if it's ever been free

Every petty argument you've ever had
Every unnecessary comment ever spoken
Every joke at someone else's expense

Would you buy it?

Can you imagine spending all your money on gossip?
Can you imagine being too poor to say you need help?

Would you still speak your mind?
Would you speak slower?
Taking time to think about each word before you said the next

Think about the next thing you'll say.
And who you're saying it to.
And who ever else is around to hear it

Is it worth it?

Like I said, i'm very careful with my words.
Not just with what I say
But how i say it.

Im not asking you these questions.
I'd like you to ask them to yourself

I can't ask

I don't know the answers

Besides,
Who am I to put a price on someone else's words?

I can't tell you the cost of your words.

But I can tell you that there is a price.

Even if someone else is paying for it.

I'm typically very quiet.
But I took a risk and spoke today.

You'll finish reading this

And depending on what you think
Depending on how you feel
Will determine how much this costs me.

I've saved up my voice enough
I think I can afford to say all this

If I could just look in my pockets for some change,
And be able to buy some last words
Let me end on this:

I've said a lot about words.

But it's just as important to listen.

If you think of how much words are worth,

How much are people spending,
Just to talk to you?