“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
What a quote!
“Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true!”
Both of these quotes imply that words can be powerful—and I believe this to be true!
So many times when we speak, we say so much. We say and talk so much to others…we even seem to say a lot within our internal dialog. What you say to yourself matters and many times it’s based on how you feel. Not too long ago I was attending a monthly strategy session. In one of the prompts we were asked to write what our takeaways from the month were. Right away I knew what I was going to write—and knew I wanted to share my insight with the class.
I knew I had a message to share and so I did. What I didn’t expect was that it created a shift in the class. The people related to it so much more than I thought they would. And it got me thinking. If my words can influence a shift in a class and the members within it, then they can influence a shift in myself.
Our words are powerful and carry so much weight. What you say and do with those words can affect you in so many ways.
For example: When you say you had a bad day and the only thing that really happened was that you stubbed your toe. You didn’t realize that the power of saying (or thinking) that you’re having a “bad day” influences everything around you. So you went on and had a bad day. You missed out on fun things, beautiful moments, and even a few opportunities. You said a few things that hurt a few people and now you have to handle the consequences of your words.
There are a few messages that came out of this for me:
Share your stories and lessons. You never know who needs to hear it.
Words can and do impact, not only you, but others as well.
You never know who you will inspire.
Words can be just words. As a matter of fact they are just that. But it’s the meaning we put behind them that reflect your outcomes and desires.
On Sunday we had our monthly strategy session. We went over the past month’s good and bad, then looked towards the following month. One particular prompt was big for me, enough that I wanted to share it on camera. What I didn’t expect was the response and how it would affect those in the community. Your words have more power than you think they do. Sharing our words, truthful words, can feel like you’re outing someone (yourself?), they can bring up uncomfortable feelings, guilt…but you’ll find that they will allow you to process your own internal world and it will allow others to do the same in the way they can empathize.
What did I feel when the words were repeated back to me?
Oh shit, this is more powerful than I thought. What I said not only impacts me, it’s already impacting others in the community. I knew I felt strongly about my words, so I had to share my thoughts. I felt them in my body.
“Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”
Words have power. Their meaning crystallizes perceptions that shape your beliefs, drive your behavior, and ultimately, create your world. Their power arises from your emotional responses when you read, speak, or hear them.
Gratitude Challenge
What does this have to do with the power of words? I encourage you to connect to seeing the good. It is proven that you can’t think negative thoughts when you are thinking in gratitude and positive intentions. Give it a try.
Our words have the power to change your life. They are a reflection of what you give and receive. By paying more attention to how you speak, and how you think, you can change you circumstances for the better. The Power of the Spoken Word will help you make the positive changes that you’ve always wanted to make.
