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The Power of Words


Language, much like everything else in this world, is evolving. Words are changed, replaced, and forgotten. New terms form from old meanings. You might know how to interpret chat speak, know every idiom from the eighteenth century until now, and know how to use the word “yeet” properly, but how often do you think about the effects your words have or how you use them?

Words Have Power

How many times have you heard friends and family—even yourself—negatively speak about themselves because they thought it was funny? Sadly, calling yourself names, making fun of yourself, or generally speaking of yourself in a derogatory manner has become a normal and accepted part of life. The same goes for speaking that way of other people. Hardly anyone bats an eye anymore.

Words have more power than they are given credit. Words have the power to create encouragement and sadness. Words have the power to start bitter battles that cause the destruction of relationships or the crumbling of families. Words can heal nations or humiliate leaders and followers alike. Words can be used as weapons or as healing salves. Yet, people throw words around like confetti at a New Year’s celebration, unconscious or uncaring of the mess they can make. Most people fail to see their power, mainly when speaking about themselves. 

In short, words have power. When the choice of how you use your words comes to tearing down or lifting up, which will you choose?

Choose Your Words Wisely

The power of words is a real thing. They carry more weight than you give them credit for. The words that you use daily fall into three categories. 

Words that you think and speak of yourself: The words you use to describe yourself matter. How often do you put yourself down or say something less than loving about yourself? If you are constantly putting yourself down or calling yourself derogatory phrases, you start to believe the things you say about yourself and it can take your happiness away. Even worse, by calling yourself names or making fun of yourself, you permit others to speak to you and about you the same way. 

If you find yourself in the habit of making fun of yourself to be funny, stop! This sort of behavior is a sign of more profound hurt and, more than likely, a cover-up for issues connected with poor self-esteem and depression. Speak of yourself more positively, and it will make you feel better about yourself and encourage others to do so as well.

Words you speak to or about others. People can be careless with the words that they use. Curse words can be nouns, verbs, and adjectives. People gossip about, judge, and make fun of others. People feel entitled to things or far above other people and it causes harsh words and awful tones. The digital age has made hurtful and negative words all too easy to spout when you can hide anonymously behind a computer screen. Have we all forgotten not to say anything at all when we don’t have anything nice to say?

The words that we say to others can either empower or destroy them. One phrase can cause a river of unstoppable emotions, both good and bad. People remember what you say to them, even long after the season you interacted with them. The words you spoke to them have the power to stick with them for the rest of their lives. For that very reason, the words that we use when talking to others should be chosen with mindfulness. Once a comment has come out of your mouth, it can not be undone or taken back, so use kind words to build people up. Always keep that in mind when speaking to others. 

Words you speak to the universe. Words have enormous power. Have you ever been unsure what to order at a restaurant, but when you hear someone else order, their food sounds really good? Something you may not have even known you wanted suddenly makes your mouth water. Maybe you’d been thinking about getting into a new hobby, then hear someone talk about cross country skiing, and suddenly you feel the urge to go to a sporting goods store and buy skis, regardless of if you know how to use them. The power of suggestion is strong. When you speak a wish into the universe, many times it will come true, if not always in the way you expect.

The same rings true with the words that you put out into the universe. Ever notice a person who speaks negatively rarely mentions positive things that have happened for them? If you speak positively and notice positive things around you, your life naturally becomes more positive. The same is true of negative things, so choose wisely.

Nobody knows the perfect thing to say all the time. Face-to-face communication has become increasingly difficult in the time of a pandemic. Words are carelessly spoken from voices behind screens and fingers on keyboards. It’s all too easy to speak negatively about ourselves and other people, but you can change that. What we, as a society, have forgotten is that words carry power. Positive words beget more positivity; hurtful or negative words beget negativity. Unfortunately, some people use negative speak to cover up deeper insecurity, hurt, or trauma. Words can have a lasting impact on you and can hurt you long after they’ve been said. At SokyaHealth, we can help you through communication issues and trauma resulting from past harmful words. We will encourage you to speak positively about yourself and others so that you can live your fullest and most positive life. Call 866-932-1767 to find out more about how we can help.

More than 50% of Americans struggle with mental health.

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