POWER OF WORDS
Do you remember
when you were taught the famous comeback as a kid "sticks and stones may
break my bones but words will never hurt me"? We all know how far from the
truth that saying is. We are all aware of the enormous power in the meaning of
the spoken word and what it means to the person who is on the receiving end.
I'm sure you have been the recipient of words of wisdom, words of
encouragement, or words of praise. On the other hand we have all experienced
condescending words, words that hurt, words that destroyed our spirit, or words
that have made us angry.
It is critical
that your spoken word is carefully chosen in order to ensure success in all
aspects of your life. Words influence your thinking and reinforce concepts
within the psyche. The psychological association with the words you speak can
affect the outcome of your goals and at what level you achieve. Words that are
badly chosen can slaughter your passion, lower your sense of worth, and
sabotage your level of enthusiasm. This can retard your progress and produce
anemic results. Words that are well chosen can stimulate the psyche, rekindle
enthusiasm, generate more insight and vision, increase your expectations, and
produce greater outcomes.
The spoken word
you choose creates an impression of you and the image you want to portray. If
you want to be perceived in a certain way, the words you choose can help you or
hurt you. If you want to make and keep friends your spoken word can make it
happen. If you want to influence others, choose carefully your words. If you
want to drive them away, don't.
Let us examine
the power of words and the words we choose. You know how your words affect
others; you can analyze the feedback you get. If you truly want to succeed and
be a winner, pay special attention to the words that flow from your mouth. Use
it to work for you not against you. Begin today to pay close attention to your spoken word, you will be amazed the power that lies
within.
WHEN WORDS DO DAMAGE?
"Handle
them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." -Pearl Strachan
If not
carefully chosen, our spoken word can wound others. These wounds can stay with
someone for years to follow and affect them in ways we could never imagine. The
power of the spoken word is so great that not only can we destroy someone but
our words can cause us to self-destruct as well.
Words can be
used to slander, to lie, or to destroy the reputation of someone. When one does
such things they seldom stop to think of the negative psychological impressions
that are implanted into their psyche. After a while it can become almost
impossible for this person to utter words of encouragement to others. As the
words become more contaminated one's persona can have a tendency to change as
well. Before long this individual may not be able to recognize his/her pattern
of speech and why others seem to be repelled by it.
Words have the
power to ruin relationships. If words are not chosen carefully, relationships
can be destroyed, jobs can be lost, or customers can leave. Remember in life we
are constantly engaged in relationships with people. Many of these
relationships can promote our success in life. It is of utmost importance that
our words are chosen wisely to build relationships and not destroy them.
Parents we
sometimes wound our children by the words we speak to them. Unable to
cognitively understand why their parents speak to them in a derogatory way,
they grow up feeling insecure or put down. By not choosing your words
carefully, by talking down to your children, or yelling at them, it can cause
serious long-lasting emotional and psychological damage to their tender minds.
Examine the
words you speak. Are they destructive? Are the spoken well? Do they encourage
or put others down? Make a special effort to choose your words more carefully -
they are a reflection of what's on the inside.
ENCOURAGING WORDS
One of the most
powerful things your words can do is to change the world in which you live. By
your choice of words you can influence others in positive ways and as a result
achieve peace and prosperity in your life. The following are ways to realize
that:
· Pay a genuine
compliment or a kind word to someone who crosses your path.
· Say something nice
to build someone's self-esteem and self-confidence.
· Your power of
words can encourage and motivate someone by saying "you did a good
job."
· Say words of
comfort to someone sad or grieving.
· Use your words to
admit when you were wrong.
· Use your words to
say "I'm sorry"
· Don't forget to
say "Thank You"
· Use your words to
show appreciation
· Use your words to
show respect for others.
· Say thing funny
to make someone smile and brighten up their day.
· Use your words to
help that special someone in your life feel secure with your love.
· Use your words to
speak to God from your heart to give thanks for the blessing in your life.
· Use your words to
praise your child for their efforts.
Say words to let
your children know what a gift they are to you.
Start today to
make a conscious effort to monitor your words. Make it a point to bring
friendly words into every relationship in your life. Learn to respond in ways
that disperse good and positive energy into the world around you. Be aware that
the power you have in your words can move people to act in helpful or harmful
ways. Use it to empower self and others.
CHOOSING YOUR WORDS
According to a study carried out by a professor at Penn
State University, it showed that irrespective of age or culture, there are many
more words in our vocabulary that expresses negative rather than positive
emotions.
Our spoken word
could mean the difference between failure and success. In choosing more
carefully your words it's essential to envision the impact you want to have on
the people around you. Think about how your plans for achieving your goals can
be affected positively or negatively by the words you choose? Let's look at
some common negative words we use and how we can make better choices.
· Change
"Problems" to "Challenges". By looking at the situation as
a challenge it is perceived as temporary and solvable.
· Change "I
can't" to "I can" or "I will".
· Change
"Should Have" to "Could Have". By doing so it removes guilt
and shame and puts no one down.
· Change
"Always" to "Often" and "Never" to
"Seldom". These two words are exaggerated words and do not convey an
accurate meaning. They cause others to become defensive and you seldom get the
results you need.
· Change
"Mistakes" to "Life's Lessons". This removes the guilt and
shame and allows us to learn from the past.
Remember, a
positively spoken word is a powerful affirmation. It can replace any
subconscious cues that have the potential to sabotage your success in life.
Become more aware of the negative words you say and try to catch yourself
saying them.
The spoken word
has the power to play a destructive or constructive role in your life. I hope I
have helped to bring more awareness to the power of words that flow from you
and the impact it has on your world. Always remember to THINK before you
discharge your words.
QUOTES ABOUT WORDS:
"A
careless word may kindle strife,A cruel word may wreck a life,A timely word may
lessen stress,A loving word may heal and bless."
- Author Unknown
· "Out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."–Jesus Christ
· "Speech is
the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is."
-Publilius Syrus
· "Wise men
talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say
something." – Plato
· "Words are
the voice of the heart." - Confucius
· "If you wish
to know the mind of a man, listen to his words."
-Chinese Proverb
· "Words are,
of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." -Rudyard Kipling
· "Words have
the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can
change our world."-Buddha
· "Words are alive. Cut them and they
bleed." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Start today to make a conscious effort to
monitor your words. Make it a point to bring friendly words into every
relationship in your life. Learn to respond in ways that disperse good and
positive energy into the world around you. Be aware that the power you have in
your words can move people to act in helpful or harmful ways. Use it to empower
self and others.
