How often does one really pay attention to the words they use?
"I'm sick and tired of this!"
"It makes me sick!"
"This burger is a heart attack on a bun"
To most, these phrases may sound harmless. You may even think that you don't really mean what you are saying. Although it may not mean much, your words have more power than you think.
In my opinion, your words portray a thought and that thought represents some belief. Have you ever said I am sick and tired of this, to then actually be sick and tired? Has a person ever made you so upset that you actually got sick? Have you ate a burger to really have your heart hurt? (Honestly, put the burgers down. Just kidding I love bacon cheeseburgers. Mmm burger)
So does this concept apply to everyone? Doctor Susan Smalley stated in an Huffington Post article stated that "words are not attended to equally by all. Studies reveal that we place our attention toward words differently depending on our own biological or personality traits." She uses the example of people who have eating disorders. She says that those with eating disorders pay more attention to words reflecting body parts or body image than others. This makes plenty of sense. What we believe and think about ourselves (even others), forces us to pay attention to words that reflect those beliefs.
So you may say "paying attention to words does not necessarily mean we speak them." Well, touché my friend. Although research may not support this point yet, take a look into your personal life. Have you ever had an awful morning and you said "Today isn't going to be my day" or "I'm going to have a bad day" and it ended up happening. For example, you missed your train, to then wait 15 minutes for the next one, to then see that it is super packed (I mean REALLY packed) and then decides to go local. Womp. Maybe you forgot your assignment at home after you pulled an all-nighter doing it, so you then rely on your coffee/tea to make your day better, but your favorite barista screwed up your drink royally. I don't know your personal story, but I know we all have had those days.
So even if I didn't sell you on my idea that words have power. My challenge to you is to try it out. When you have a bad day, say you'll have a good day and see if it makes a difference. If you are having a good day, continue to say you'll have a good day and check out how your body responds. Besides, who wants to declare that they'll have a bad day anyway, positivity just makes you better!
If I am asking for too much, I at least ask for you to pay attention, or be aware, of what you say.
I once read that a word is like a living organism, capable of growing, changing, spreading, and influencing the world in many ways, directly and indirectly through others. - Susan Smalley
