Word Salad

*Thank you to Donna of Kia Maia for allowing us to share this piece. You can see more of her content here and her website here.*  

Words wield immense power, capable of both uplifting spirits and shattering souls. Remember that old chestnut, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you… unless you believe them. Then, they can destroy you.”

But fear not! Words are not just sneaky little raisins ready to ruin a good meal, they are also superheroes of human interaction. They have the power to unite communities, build a new future, reduce stigma, and encourage empathy.

And hey, did you know that positive speaking isn’t just for yoga enthusiasts and motivational speakers? It’s legit science! Turns out, if you sprinkle a little optimism on your mental stew, it can actually tweak your brain chemistry. So, instead of marinating in a pot of stress hormones every time you think about looming deadlines and lengthy to-do lists, why not toss in a pinch of ‘I got this’? Simple swaps in language, such as replacing ‘I have to’ with ‘I get to,’ or ‘I feel bad’ with ‘I won’t give up,’ can bring profound shifts in perspective and behaviour.

Breaking free from ingrained patterns of negative language requires conscious effort and inner-standing. Recognising and challenging the influence of negative bias is essential to fostering a culture of positivity and resilience. Rather than suppressing negative thoughts, the key lies in acknowledging them while seeing alternative perspectives, such as, “I am not suffering, I am experiencing.”

Now, I’m not saying we should all start smiling 24/7 and throwing around rainbows. Life’s messy, and sometimes you just gotta call a spade a spade. Turns out, our brains are wired to latch onto the bad stuff like sauce on pasta. But hey, there’s no harm in adding a dash of sugar to that bitter cup of reality. Who knows, it might just make it a tad more palatable.

But wait, there’s more! Positive language isn’t just good for your own headspace; it’s like a magic sprinkle that spreads joy to all who hear it. So, instead of grumbling about how you’re late, why not sprinkle a little gratitude on the situation? Who knows, you might even start a revolution, one ‘thank you for waiting’ at a time.

In the end, words are more than just squiggles on a page or vibrations in the air. They’re the layers of our reality lasagna, the secret sauce that makes life a little less bland. So, go forth my friends, and wield your words wisely.

Who knows what kind of magic creation you might unleash!

-Donna

Voices of Hope wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone. Click here to 'find help' - it's not weak to speak!

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