Sticks and Stones

I remember it vividly. My mom kneeled down in front of me, with her hands on my shoulders, and recited an age old rhyme. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."  What an ingenious idea!  The words of a neighborhood bully cannot inflict physical harm. Even at age five, I got the message.  But, why then, was there still this piercing feeling in my chest.? A burning sensation on my cheeks?  Butterflies in my stomach?

The truth, I've learned, is that words do hurt.  They have the power to soothe or to sting, to elevate or destroy.  Words are powerful.  A wise man once said, "Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs."  I have no doubt.  The encouragement and praise I've received through the years built me up just as childhood and teenage taunts tore me down. Entire societies have rallied around a single message, armies around a battlecry.

Then, why is it, if words are so important, do we rarely think about how we talk to ourselves?  I'm am totally guilty of engaging in defeating self talk.  The words that cross my mind and my lips are so often negative, critical and argumentative.  I could really benefit from conciously intercepting these hurtful messages before they can drag me down.  In order to become a more positive, uplifting and loving person, I need to change the way I talk to myself. 

This sounds hard, but I will give it a try.  I've heard a lot about the whole "power of attraction" theory and think there may be some merit to the idea.  Like attracts like--I've seen it with people, with situations--why not with thoughts and feelings?  If I use kind and uplifting words, won't I feel uplifted too?  Let's get lifted. :)

"If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words."

-- Chinese Proverb