Thursday, March 15, 2012

DO OUR WORDS BLESS OR HURT?




I decided to write about words this morning because of what I see and hear around me. Of all the lessons I have learned in my lifetime, recognizing the power of words is the lesson that improved my relationships and enabled me to work through problems with those I care about, rather than shutting them out of  my life as I used too when I was younge
r.

Words are powerful things; so powerful we have to be careful how we string them together in our sentences, our speech, our letters, and emails. Words can make a man or break a man;  inspire him or destroy him. They will motivate him, or steal his joy, hope, and peace. They will fill him with despair or cause him to believe that nothing is impossible. Words  will encourage a man or discourage him, leaving him feeling empty, asking himself "why bother to try anymore?"
    
The words we put into our minds are powerful too for we believe what we tell ourselves. If we tell ourselves "I can't." we've pretty much killed our motivation. If we tell ourselves how afraid we are, we become fearful, insecure people. What we tell ourselves determines, to a large degree, what choices we will make, or not make. 

I have made it a point, for the last year, to pay attention to what I'm been telling myself. To say I was surprised  at what this experiment taught me, would be an understatement.

Listed 
below is an example of just some of the things I'd been telling myself. The original list was longer, so I am making progress. Paying attention to what I say has improved my life by 80 %, and I know it will continue to get better. I'm posting this because I thought perhaps some of you might be telling yourselves these things too.


List of Things I've Told Myself when, sad, lonely, afraid, overwhelmed,or
feeling
discouraged.

1- I can't do this.
2- This is too hard.
3- I'll never be able to understand this.
4- Nothing ever changes.
5- I can't do anything right.
6- Nobody cares any way.
7 -I'm too old.
8- I'm not smart enough.
9- What's the sense of trying.
10-
I'll never get back in shape
.

DISTORTIONS OF LOGIC.
That's what the above statements are. The more I said  them to myself, the more I believed them.  It's taken me a long time to realize the harm I was doing to myself, a long time to recognize that what I told myself was changing my life, and not always in a good way. How about you?  What negative tapes do you still run in your mind, if any?

Well, I guess I'd better get started on my day. There is a lot to do, and when I am this tired it always takes me longer to get things done.  Kindly overlook the variety of fonts. My computer is messing up today.

  Enjoy the moments of your life as they come, and if possible create a beautiful memory for somebody who doesn't expect it. You won't have to look far to find that person. There are a lot of lonely people out there. Some might just be your neighbors. 


Love you much,







  

3 comments:

Kath said...

Good Morning Barb,yes a very early morningit is too,here in my part of England.I am trying to catch up on a few blogs, before my looooooong journey to the hospital today.Like you my computer is also testing my pacience, since I came home from my break away last week,which makes for very slow progress commenting at times.Thankyou for your kind words I found on my blog yesterday,much appreciated bless you..Quite a few of these quotes on your list,could well be on my list too.I will try to take heed of your lessons in words.In my thoughts and prayers always Barb you and yours.Look after yourself Dear Friend.I shall be around again,whenever I can find time to be online.Give Johnny lots of hugs from me and a great big hug to yourself.Love you millions.Take Care God Bless Kath xxx

Sybil said...

Oh Barb, How well most of us may know all your statements and have the same thoughts...We might know they are not teh best thoughts....but...Like you I will just have to keep trying..
Hope you have a better day today with not just one but quite a few shiny moments.
Love always to you and Johnny,
from sybil.
As Kath says early am here better looking morning as teh fog has gone although I hear the weather woman say we will have rain later !!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

We do have to use our words wisely. Not only the ones we speak to others, but the ones we say to ourselves too. I've said some I shouldn't have, but do try to keep words of praise and thankfulness on the top of my list so as to help others and me too. Hope your Friday is a fantastic one. It is much warmer here and promises to be sunny later today!