For centuries people of different cultures realized the power of words.
Poet Miguel de Cervantes wrote that wound from the sword can heal faster than a wound made with words. In Japan, Shinto followers believe that every word has spiritual power. The apostle Paul wrote, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). In the Judaic spiritual tradition, words have the ultimate power. God creates a world from nothing with just words. Also, in Judaism, words are connected with time. The right word could add years to our lives, and the wrong one takes them out. Islam teaches that our body parts will testify against us on judgment days, and our tongue will be one of the main witnesses. Our tongue will testify what good or bad we make him do. "On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs or feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do." (Fussilat 24:24). In Quran 2:263, we also can read, "A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury."
Words can heal or have the opposite effect. Now we have several therapies that use words for healing (from "classical talk therapy" to EFT): to replace unhealthy patterns and limiting beliefs. "Positive self-talk... It's not about narcissism or deceiving ourselves into thinking inaccurate things. It's more about showing yourself self-compassion and understanding for who you are and what you've been through." (Dr. Gregory Jantz, 2019) Our narratives could change our lives. We tend to become what we think.
Words are something we are always in control of. Choosing the right words can make all the difference. For example, we can say "non-thinking mind" or "silent mind." First looks impossible, and second more likely achievable. We choose what words to use. Words help us to express our emotions and feelings. The wrong word said to another person could ruin a relationship. The same rules apply to self-talk. Self-talk affects our mental, emotional, and physical health. We must talk to ourselves the same way we would to our best friend, our loved one. There are plenty of publications about self-talk and how to improve it. Our body reacts to our thoughts. It cannot differentiate what is true and what is not. Our thoughts could create a body stress response or assist our body in healing. Our self-talk, inner voice, and thoughts run through our heads all day. These narratives combine unconscious beliefs and provide a way for the brain to interpret and process daily experiences. Our head is where we spend most of the day, so let's make it a nice place.
Cultivating a positive inner voice is not creating self-deception. It is about recognizing the truth in situations and yourself, understanding that we are all humans and make mistakes. When adverse events or mistakes happen, positive self-talk seeks to bring the positive out of the negative to help us to improve, go further, or move forward. Positive self-talk allows us to discover obscured optimism, hope, and joy in any situation.
Our presence on different social media also has an effect. A recent study of this effect confirmed that posts with positive or negative content influence the spread of similar posts. Everything we think, say, or write affects us and the world around us. We have the power to make changes. We can share positivity with our family, neighbors, and throughout our network. "Every thought, every action creates vibrations through this infinite field on consciousness. Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions for their effects are far more potent than you realize." (themindsjournal.com) Everything we put in the world has a ripple effect. Let's pause for a second and think. In what world would we like to live? Do we use social media to vent out or to create a better world?
We all heard that "misery likes company." The same applies to happiness. Happiness is contagious. A study done in 2009 suggests that our happiness not only influences people with whom we are in direct contact but extends up to three degrees of separation. (Dynamic Spread of Happiness in Large Social Network. By J. H. Flowler and N. A. Christakis) Happiness is an inside job, and our thoughts and words are a big part of it. The energy of our thoughts creates a ripple effect and attracts similar energies. It doesn't matter of circumstances; we all can find happiness and contribute to other people's happiness.
Inner peace and happiness are the foundation of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Positive self-talk is hard to maintain in a negative environment. It is essential to disconnect and let go of toxic people and situations. We cannot change the people around us, but we can choose the people we want to be around. This is an empowering statement. Sometimes to obtain inner peace, we need to let some people go. Disassociating with some people is not selfishness. By preserving your inner peace, you preserve the inner peace of everyone who has daily contact with you. We must let some people go from our lives with love and best wishes. "You are not giving up when you let go; you are moving on. There is a big difference." ― Catherine Pulsifer.
Our words create and reinforce our view of the world. By being wise with our self-talk, we restore the inner peace that will positively affect all the people around us and us.
Disclosure: This material is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Feel free to contact me for more information, a session, or mentoring program at contact@peaceandbalance.org.
With Love and Light,
Roman
September 1, 2022