"Actions speak louder than words." "A picture's worth a thousand words." How often have we heard these sayings? Probably too often. These two sentences imply that words aren't that powerful and that what we see is more important than what we say. I'd argue, however, that words hold just as much weight as actions and pictures, if not more.

When crafted, words are a form of art. The basis of poetry and books are words. Authors craft stories using their voice, give sentences elaborate meaning and create some of the most influential works of literature out there. Both books and poems have the depth and emotion of visual art and are just as impactful in the world.

As an avid book lover, it's amazing how someone can be so creative to put together a novel just using their words. Words are also important to music; we all love to sing along, and songs can be used to tell a story through just the lyrics.

Words allow us to make a change. People use their voices to speak up about issues they're passionate about, hoping to spark others to feel moved and take action as well. Speeches have been used for centuries to speak out against societal problems or to inspire others. Without using our voices, it would be difficult to make a change in society without the voices of many.

Words help us to stand up for ourselves. Recent movements such as Me Too and Time's Up have given women the power to use their voices to stand up to sexual abusers and harassers. People use their voices every day to speak up for themselves, empowering them and giving them strength.

Actions and pictures are powerful, but so are words. Remember, there is great power in your voice, so don't be afraid to use it.