Do you know what the two most powerful, action inducing, life changing words are? If you don’t, read on.
Sticks & Stones (and Self-Talk)
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
OR will they?
The power of positive self-talk is significantly underestimated and often overlooked. To better understand our everyday behaviors and moods, we need to take note (literally) of what we say to ourselves, and pay close attention to what we do after we say them. Often, when people are prompted to perform this simple exercise of tracking self-talk, they are shocked to discover how, even subtle moments of negative self-talk throughout the day, can add up quickly and lead to a day of self-fulfilling prophecies.
The very first thought(s) that enter your mind as you awake each morning (and how you address/respond to them) have the power to directly affect your entire day. What we say to ourselves (our inner dialogue) is what we become conditioned to believe. Even the smallest, seemingly harmless comments, can become negative mental traps that lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, unhappiness, defeat, and despair.
Pressing pause on the playlist
What can we do to change this continuous loop?
The first step is recognizing the strength of our words and acknowledging our minds willingness to accept and respond to them – both good and bad. Rather than focusing on what we CAN’T do, we must shift our thinking to focus on what we CAN do. When we do this, we give ourselves the power to overcome the things we cannot change, by creating alternative ways to succeed and find happiness. Whereas when we choose to repeat, over and over again what we can’t do, we begin to accept, believe, and give power to the idea of impossibilities.
Words will either hurt you or help you
There are two words in which I refrain from ever using, and even went as far as forbidding a most special friend from ever uttering because I loved her so. The words “I can’t” are filled with doubt, fear, loneliness, pain, and weakness. These two words ooze ugliness and leave us feeling powerless. Using them only reinforces our limitations and our acceptance of them.
Instead, by focusing on what we CAN do, we find empowerment in our choice to decide what we want to focus on, accept, change, or resist in our lives. Statements that begin with “I CAN” are filled with hope, choice, freedom, power, and determination.
Your Voice. Your Choice.
We all have fears and will doubt ourselves from time to time, but if we make it a practice to use words that reinforce and convey positive power and possibilities, we set the stage for success, rather than expecting failure. We can’t always control the circumstances in which we find ourselves, or the obstacles in which we have to face, but as I often told my dear friend and Heavenly Hero, there are two things that can never be taken away from you: One, is your voice, and the other is your choice.
So, choose your words wisely and use them carefully. What you say to yourself, you may just start to believe. What you say to others, many may start to believe.
As for me, I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
