Speak what you want to see

Use your words to inspire and move people to greatness!
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If you want to change your life, if you want to shape your decisions and your actions, shifting your emotional patterns is the key. I took a short break so that I could type this chapter the following day. It is very interesting how we allow words to affect us. I started thinking a certain way and was talking negatively and within a few minutes I was feeling really crappy and my emotions went from high about preparing the last chapter to feeling really low. It took about thirty minutes for me to quickly check myself to change my thoughts and words, and my emotions went on a high again when I started reflecting on all the great things in my life and the blessings I enjoy.

Words are powerful and they affect us all the time. I remembered the times when I talked to my mother and her words of encouragement inspired me to be more, do more, give more, and live a great life. Those words continue to move me to do amazing things. I still remember my dad’s words of wisdom to always do the right thing, to be cautious whom I partner with in business, to provide excellent service to my customers, to pay my taxes, and to aspire to be the best. My dad and mum have both passed on but their words of wisdom and inspiration continue to resonate with me to this very day.

Pearl Strachan said, “Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.” Your words can hurt you and wound others around you. Some of the hurt our words create can follow us and the people we have spoken to for years to come. Words spoken can be so potent that not only can we really hurt and even destroy a person, but those words can decimate us as well.

Don't ever diminish the power of words. Words move hearts and hearts move limbs –
Hamza Yusuf

When you continue to use negative words all the time you get used to such words and they become normal to you. I have worked with people who are so used to using swear words that it had become normal to swear without seeing anything wrong with it. Using negative words and swearing all the time is a reflection of a character flaw and a contaminated inside condition. What comes out on the outside is equal to what is on your inside! You can use words to slander, to lie, or to destroy the reputation of someone. When you do such a thing you are creating a negative psychological impression on these people. 

I remember years ago, I was working for an organization as a change management specialist. During one of our meetings, I talked about the various changes we could make as an organization to achieve our strategic objectives and deliverables for the project. I was very pumped up and wanted to facilitate successful change in this large organization. One of the leaders made a statement in response to my excitement about creating change. She said, “George, who do you think you are to cause change? You are one black boy in an all-white pool.” I was shocked by those words and hurt to the core. The wound took a while to heal. Years passed after this incident and then I met this lady again while attending a meeting of an association we both belong to. I was introduced by the president of the association, and the lady was asked whether she knew me. She said, “Yes, of course I remember George. We worked together.” In my mind the words she spoke to me years ago and memories of the hurt came back in a flash. I thought I had let go of the hurt and negative feelings a long time ago. Words can build or destroy and negative or positive words can linger for a long time. I believe this lady had forgotten what she’d said years before. Your hurting words echo on long after you have spoken those words. Be careful what you say to people. You may not care but remember the psychological damage you may be causing. 
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The more you use wrong, negative, and contaminated words the more it begins to change your personality into that of a mean-spirited person. Your words can repel people or draw people to you, so be careful with your words.
Your words have the power to ruin your relationships. When you do not choose your words carefully, you can damage your relationships. People have lost jobs by saying the wrong things. Customers have left by the dozens because of wrong words used by customer service or sales assistant. Leaders have lost promotion prospects by saying the wrong things in the heat of the moment. Life is about relations, and we are always meeting people, working with people, and doing things with people. Well handled, these relationships have the potential of taking you to where you want to go in life. Good, lasting relationships are needed for you to achieve your goals. Speak well, choose your words carefully, and build long-lasting relationships instead of burning your bridges through the use of the wrong words.

​I encourage you to begin today to make a deliberate and intentional effort to use the right words. When you catch yourself using wrong words…change the words. It is that simple! Use positive words that inspire, encourage, build, and foster great relationships. Your words will produce positive energy around you. Use your words to empower you and others to do great things.