There are always fun and interesting conversations on film sets. Not that I often get to partake in them. As an AD, my time is often spent glaring at people to remind them that they are not being paid to chit-chat and they are likely late to reporting to set for the next shot.
However, on the last film set, with such a small cast and crew, I did get a little more time to spend in conversation as shots got set up. Somehow, the topic of the tongue being the strongest muscle came up. After jokes of spending time at the gym doing push-ups with your tongue, we quickly moved on to the task at hand - making a film.
When I got back home, my mind recalled that conversation, but flipped its meaning a bit. Despite the fact that I have heard the claim many times before, the tongue is NOT, in fact, the strongest muscle in the human body. (Let's hear it for the calf and the jaw!) But that is beside the point. Perhaps it is not physically the strongest, but I'd argue the tongue can be the most influential - or, on the other side of the coin -wield the most damage emotionally and spiritually.
As I consider which script I will pick back up for a re-write or first draft, I recognize that as writer, my tongue IS my strongest muscle. The stories I tell are my brand; they reflect who I am. Most importantly, they make an impact.
I've had long conversations reflecting on a film I've seen and, on the flip side, I've had strangers seek me out to tell me how my film impacted them. I understand the effect words and media have on people. I know that I am called to be a writer and this conversation reminded me that the words I pen will eventually become part of someone else's life and in that, there lies power. Even if you are not a writer, the words you speak are important and have an impact.
With that, I am off to the gym. Don't mind me. I'll be in the corner doing tongue push-ups.
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