Do you have a way with words?
September 2, 2009 by Joe Gigantino
“Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs”.
~ Pearl Strachan
“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” We’ve all heard that saying our whole lives, but how many of us find ourselves saying something we regret the second it comes our of our mouths? We may then try to erase by saying “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,” however, it’s too late as the damage has already been done.
We chanted in school “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, we know that is absolutely untrue, as words are a powerful force. They have been known to destroy relationships, deceive people, break hearts and even dreams.
Imagine the men and women who may be behind bars today who were told growing up, “You’re a loser” or “You’l
l never amount to anything” or “You can’t do anything right!” Their future may have turned out quite differently if they were edified or affirmed rather than torn down with words.
We should be building each other up and empowering others with our words. When we affirm others, we validate their value or self-worth; we instill confidence, hope and encouragement. How do you feel when someone offers a kind word about you? You feel uplifted, right? Even Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
Think of how your children feel when you tell them you are proud of them or that they’ve done a good job. Actually, we all love to hear those words at any age. Words of affirmation are extremely powerful. Have you ever had someone ask you if you’re feeling ok or tell you that you look tired? No matter how good you were feeling, suddenly you take a downhill turn by a few words spoken over you.
Poorly chosen words can kill enthusiasm, impact self-esteem, lower expectations and hold people back. Well chosen ones can motivate, offer hope, create vision, impact thinking and alter results. Learn to use your words to work for you, rather than against you.
What about the words you speak about yourself? How healthy is your self-talk? Maybe unconsciously you talk about how fat you are or someone compliments you and you immediately negate their words by saying the opposite. Just as words can tear others down, negative words spoken to ourselves create damage in own spirits.
Positive affirmations spoken over our lives on purpose create an environment for physical, 
emotional and spiritual health. Try creating a few affirmations that you’d like to see become a reality in your life. Now write them down and post them somewhere you’ll see first thing when you get up in the morning. Maybe a mirror is a good place to post them. Here are a few examples that work for me:
• Thank you God for this day.
• I am thankful for all the blessings in my life.
• I’m choosing today to make it the best day possible.
• I will remain calm and patient throughout the day.
• I will be a good example to my family and friends.
• My speech and my actions will be used to edify others rather than be critical.
• My body is made in God’s image.
• I will honor my body in the choices I make today in what I eat, drink and how I exercise my physical, emotional and spiritual self.
If you’re not happy with your life or your close relationships and you want to see better results, then evaluate what’s coming out of your mouth. Make your own list of positive affirmations. Try it for 30 days and watch your life and the lives of those closest to you transform into healthier, more positive relationships.
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