The power of words

It struck me today just how powerful words are.
The first instance was as I heard growing reports of fuel stations shutting because of panic buying. A few words on the news and like fearful sheep people were racing to the pumps. A huge reaction to a cautionary Government message.
The second was when a restaurant owner called me. He'd read my food review in the weekend paper and wanted to say thank you. It was a humbling reminder that what you say can genuinely make a big difference to someone else.