It is well known that words and concepts reside in the brain and nerves. Emotions reside in the brain and nerves as well. Can I suggest that what I call ‘word/emotions’ exist? The brain after all is a nervous tissue, coevolved with language.
Therefore, I am suggesting that words do share tiny hugs with emotions. If I might go a little further, I am suggesting perhaps this is more granular than we think. Perhaps there are emotions hugging almost EVERY word! Most are benign, some are not! If I yell at you, I have just blasted you with word/emotion! If I tell you that you are beautiful, I have just shared positive ones.
In certain ways we are lost to what other people think or feel. This must be remembered often.
It is true that sentences carry real power.
(One thing I found that helps during trauma involving words is compartmentalization. Like disruptive kids, separate the word/emotions. It is smart to begin healing them after they have quieted.)
To this point it is a responsibility of people who use language that they help heal words (word/emotions) with tiny medicines, for themselves and for others.
It is true that individuals differ in what word might pair with what emotion, what happiness, what anxiety, what degree of each. So I suggest sensitivity. I suggest we heal each other. And though we may not know what words to use, they often are a very good start.