When you learn your first language, it is to ensure you are
able to communicate with others.
Before you learn a language, you cry to be fed or to have your diaper
changed. Language allows you to speak
instead of cry. Once language is
acquired, most people use it to communicate what they want or don’t want. Therefore, it is a tool. However, it is one of the most
under
utilized tools human beings have.
Tools allow you to build or destroy. You can also use tools to gain greater
understanding through analysis.
For example, you can use tools to take a car engine apart to diagnose a
problem. In the similar way, you
can use medical tools to assess the health of a person. Through that analysis, you are better
able to make decisions. Then you,
as a mechanic or doctor, can communicate the best course of action for the
client. While this aspect of
language usage supports a functioning society, it leaves a lot to be
desired.
When you are born, you are told the meaning of every word in
your language. From there, the
meaning of those words will shape every action you take. Some words have a negative meaning. As a result, you may have a defensive
reaction to the word, especially if it is deemed politically incorrect. At the other end of the spectrum are
words that have a positive connotation.
Those words can make you happy and your actions may express approval or
affinity.
With all that said, there is still a power that words
provide and it is rarely used intentionally. Many of us understand the power of thoughts. For years, we have heard slogans about
how thoughts shape your world.
Except, for some reason, we are taught to be angry or sad just because
one single word was used.
In some ways, the belief that you should be angry or sad is
a declaration of anger or sadness.
In other words, when someone uses a word that is deemed negative, you
automatically declare your anger or sadness. And declarations are extremely powerful. For example, John F. Kennedy declared a
man on the moon. That declaration
was so powerful it lived on after his death.
What I am saying is declaration is a powerful tool in
language. Every day of your life
you declare something. In fact,
you can say that when you declare, you are declaring who you are in the
world. The question is: what are
you declaring?
If you watch your actions and they are not producing the
life you want, ask what you are declaring to yourself. Most people are taught to make positive
affirmations, with the hope it creates a positive mindset. However, if you are not aware of what
you declare after the affirmation, you will not be aware of the world you are
creating for yourself. If, for
example, you make a positive affirmation that you are beautiful and smart, but
no one likes you, you have secretly made a declaration of self-sabotage. The “but no one likes me” is what you
are truly declaring. That is the
declaration that will shape your beliefs and actions.
In all likelihood, the belief that no one likes you is the
result of someone saying it to you.
Now you live as though it is your reality.
Therefore, it is imperative that you do an assessment of
yourself and the thoughts you have when no one is around. Those are the things you are declaring
in your life. Once you know those
thoughts, you can do something about them. At that point, you have a choice. You can continue to live with the declarations you have
always had. Or you can create new
ones that empower you.
Once you create a new declaration, ensure your actions are a
correlate of the declaration. When
they are not, you can recalibrate your thoughts and actions. At that point, you will be using
language as a tool to intentionally create the life you stand for.
What do you
think? I would love to hear your feedback. And I’m open to ideas. Or if you
want to write me about a specific topic, let me know.
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