Growing up, there was one saying my Grandmother had always said to my brother and I that really stuck with us. Whenever we were fighting (physically) or arguing (moronically) she would break us apart and say, “Kids! Use your words.” Unfortunately, we did not grab hold of it the first time and it was repeatedly drilled into our heads throughout our childhood. As we emerged from our immaturity and into adulthood we both learned that Grammy was right all along, that our words have the power to shape our lives. This is a power that is found in each and every one of us.
Here are some practical ways to begin speaking into your life:
Decide Where You Want To Be In 5 Years
You may not do a whole lot of talking at this time but this is a crucial step you have to take if you are to get where you want to be in life. Start writing down all of the things you want out of life, don’t have any set structure or categories, just think about what your ideal life would be like and begin to jot it down. Take these next steps:
- List the top 5 goals that you want to achieve in the next 5 years.
- Place this list someplace where you will see it every day.
- Read them out loud 5-6 times per day.
This will ensure that your goals are ever present in your mind and you will begin to stir creativity on how to achieve them. I recommend documenting these things in Evernote because you are able to access them from almost anywhere.
Highlight The Positives
People spend too much time talking about the “bad stuff” in their everyday life when in reality, the opposite should be our focus. Zig Ziglar taught a great lesson about a woman who hated her job and wanted to change her life. He told her to, go and write down every possible positive thing about her job and to start repeating them out loud each day. This helps to develop a spirit of gratitude for the things with which we are blessed. Next time you find yourself complaining about a certain area of your life, stop and begin thinking about what you are grateful for and see if that doesn’t change things.
Speak Highly Of Yourself During Challenges
When it comes to self-esteem we can be our own worst enemies. Especially in times of trial or recent failures where we face the decision to give up or keep going. We need to condition ourselves to speak positive inspiration over our lives when we feel we are starting to struggle. Don’t just tell yourself that you are going to get through this hard time but that you will boldly overcome it and enter into success and prosperity.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
You see, at any given moment, in any situation, our words hold the power to build up ourselves and those around us or tear them to the ground. We must be mindful of how we use our words and think ahead of what the outcome may be if we speak our minds while we are upset or frustrated. The Bible has much to say on minding our tongues and it requires a conscious effort and discipline to tame. It may be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Here is a beautiful video that went viral that portrays how your words can impact the lives of others:
Do you find yourself saying things you wish you didn’t say?
What do you do to help think things through before speaking your mind?
