The spoken word is full of power, as is the power of thought, Negative words steal our energy and our hope. We have a vocabulary of self talk, and that vocabulary can be positive, or negative. We can choose which way we direct our paths. If we voice negative ideas and images, we become those negative things.

The first word I have learned to avoid, for my own well being, is the word "should". Saying that I should do something, or should be doing something immediately says that the current choice is the wrong choice. I am a bad person. A minister told me, about ten years ago, that I was not to "should" on myself. That phrase has stuck with me, and has directed me away from that "dirty word" should. I am writing at the computer, the dishes need to be done. I refuse to downgrade what I am doing now by telling myself I should stop and do the dishes.

"I am" is a strong combination of words. The key is to put a positive word after "am".We do not need to say "I am tired." or "I am dumb", "I am lazy.","I am disorganized." When we hear something we believe it, live it out, and fulfill it. The most positive word you can find should go right after "I am". "I am talented, I am creative, I am successful". We need to be telling ourselves the truth, and we can do that in positive ways. "I am a strong woman"." I am a survivor". "I am loving". "I am kind"." I am healthy". When people make mistakes, and then say they are "stupid' they are giving themselves the message that that is what they will always be. The label needs to be on the mistake, not the person. That (whatever "that" is) was stupid. I am not making that mistake again. I am making good choices from now on.

We will seek to fulfill whatever we tell ourselves. That means that it is our focus and goal that we strive for. I am striving to be positive, energetic, and loving. I am voicing those things in my own self talk, and in my verbalizations as well.

An additional experience is that I am more positive with myself when I am positive with others.When I must say something that is not positive, I can choose how to word it. Most things in our life we can express in either way. I remind myself that I have the choice in what I do with my thoughts and my words and my acts. Choice is the most positive word I know.

Learn more about this author, Heather E.Hartz.
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