The Impact of Words
posted in Words |Not long ago I wrote an entry titled “Self Talk: Reprogramming the Mental Tapes” in which I shared that the words we speak, whether curses or blessings, impact our lives accordingly. This universal truth is one I’ve seen played out in my own life and the lives of others’ over and over again. Our words are packed with power and we can choose to use them to build up or tear down, bring success or failure, hope or pain.
Jennifer Hudson, singer, actor and Oscar winner, understands this truth and uses it to her advantage. In an article in October 2007 edition of O, The Oprah Magazine titled “Jennifer Hudson’s Aha! Moment” she shares the story of her song “Thank You.” Six month prior to filming her Academy Award-winning role in Dreamgirls, Jennifer wrote the song based on the success she knew would someday come her way. She realized that success not long afterwards.
Hudson says that, “The force of positive thinking is nothing new to me … Of course, this is about more than just words; it’s the realization that we write our own destinies. … I know there is a direct connection between what I say and what happens to me.”
Reinforcing this point, according to Psychology Today (http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19970501-000021.html), Harvard University researcher Bacca Levy, Ph.D studied the affects negative words have on aging and memory. Subjects, all volunteers over the age of 60, were shown a series of either negative or positive words related to aging on a computer monitor. “ …subjects shown words that reinforced negative views of the erderly later performed more poorly on memory tests than folks who saw the positive words,”
Jennifer Hudson gets it. She understands that the words we speak are powerful.
Dr. Levy tested and proved it. Negative words have negative impacts and positive words have positive impacts.
It is now up to us. What we say is completely our choice. We can choose to bless or curse.
Start being positive and blessing today. Make a list of three positive things you want to be true of your day today. For example, Today will be a great day, I will be effective in my decision-making and I will make wise choices. Repeat the list several times, believe it to be true and work as if it is happening. You may be amazed at the results.
Even when the inevitable difficult situation arises, by being in a positive frame of mind you will be more equipped to handle it well and move on, robbing it of its power to ruin your day.
By deliberately choosing positive words and living as if they are happening you will be taking charge, increasing your joy and Choosing a Better Life.