All words have potential power whether spoken, written, or simply the words in our own minds. That is a powerful statement but holds great truth. The words we use repeatedly to describe ourselves or others are some of the most powerful forces in our lives. Some of that power comes from the words themselves and some from the emotion and intensity in which we use them.
The problem is that most of us don’t take an active enough role in the words we choose to express. We speak without contemplating the immense force that our words hold and often blurt out something cruel in a moment of stress or we ingest fearful words, all of which affect our well-being and the well-being of those around us.
The current state of our country is a prime example of this. Hate-mongering has become the norm. Anyone with an opposing opinion to our own is now being demonized with horrendous words of hate and intolerance. Bad behavior and condemnation have become a daily occurrence. We used to be the harbor of safety for those seeking asylum or simply a better life until those hungry for power and control fed us a steady diet of hate-filled words to the point we have become the country we used to fight against.
Why do we allow these negative words to control our attitudes? Probably the biggest reason is that we are not being mindful of these words. We are not recognizing the cynical and destructive power these words have to our mental well-being. A constant barrage of lies and hate can wear down our ability to be compassionate and kind by creating a chaotic state of fear, which promotes the mindset of get-them-before-they-get us.
Think of a positive mindset as a shield that would recognize such words for what they are. But if you already have an internal dialogue echoing in your thoughts, then such words could unduly influence you. Do you self-blame when something goes wrong? Do you criticize yourself when you don’t meet some invisible standard of perfection? Do you allow one small negative event to dictate your anticipation for future failures? Do you feel it’s always your fault?
This revolving flow of negative energy can be very destructive, both mentally and physically. It can cause difficulties with sleeping, higher rates of heart disease, chronic stress levels, increased inflammation in the body and even premature aging. Too much stress can cause elevated anxiety, emotional spirals and feelings of hopelessness and depression.
You are the master of your world, so taking back your power of words can be as easy as changing how you talk to yourself and, from that, how you talk to others. Positive words have a powerful impact on the quality of life and health. By intentionally choosing to think and speak differently, you will improve your immune system, develop better coping skills, lower cortisol levels which lowers your overall anxiety and increases your well-being and lifespan.
No matter how you slice it, words that are full of hate, intolerance, criticism and judgement harm the giver of those words even more than they harm the recipient. Negative words are like a cancer eating away at decency and kindness. Are you part of the problem or the solution? So, ask yourself…am I allowing the wrong words to control my life? Are the words I’m using making my life better? Are my words uplifting both to myself and to others or are my words causing harm to another?
Remember the power of your words before you speak. Make the choice to better the world we live in rather than diminishing it.