“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” ~Robin Williams

If you, like me, took time to watch any coverage of the March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C.—and in over 800 cities around the globe—and listened to the incredible array of singers and speakers share words of inspiration and conviction, then you, like me, saw the leaders of the future put on the mantel of responsibility for change, specifically about the unconscionable access to guns in the United States, as well as the broader issue of the corruption and dishonesty of our institutional leaders.

And you, like me, must know at your core that we witnessed history, live, happening right before our eyes. (If you’d like to see the speeches, none longer than 6 mins, go to YouTube and search March For Our Lives.)

The young people who are inheriting a world in which they have only known gun violence, division and uncertainty, are out to change it.

And they are speaking up. Articulately and passionately.

They’ve had enough.

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity.” ~Yehuda Berg

I am a public speaker. I have experienced magic moments of electric connection, where words delivered from a place beyond the self, spark to life an internal pilot light within the listeners. It is the place where the words themselves become living things.

Speaker after speaker—ranging from the founders of the movement, the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to eleven-year-olds from inner city schools, to Sandy Hook survivors—spoke with an eloquence and passion and wisdom born of experience that brought me to my knees. I was moved to tears by the power, clarity and conviction with which their words were spoken. (Click here for a a New York Times 3 minute highlight video) 

This is how movements are born: inspiring words uttered in response to events, words that move people to action.

Here is a small sample:

“Our nation’s leaders are sick with soullessness, but make no mistake—we are the cure.”

“Non-violence is the way of courageous men.””

“Spread the word
Have you heard,
All across the nation,
We are going to be
A great generation.”

“If teachers start packing heat, do we arm all our pastors, ministers and rabbis?”

“We choose life.”

“We’re done with being afraid. From here on we fight. It’s time to fight for our lives:
“We will register.
We will educate.
And we will vote!”

I believe them. And that gives me hope.

Because words matter, they have substance and carry weight.

And they can turn moments into movements.