Watch your Language

By Jeanie Marshall

“Language is the blood of the soul
into which thoughts run and out of which they grow.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Much attention is given these days to saying positive affirmations. It is also important that we become aware of the impact of negative affirmations. The following are common negative affirmations or expressions. With frequent use, they can create problems and invite the very situations they describe, even though we claim we do not want to experience these situations. So, watch your language as a first step in transforming negative situations.

Common Expressions

  • What a pain in the neck!
  • He’s a pain in the ______.
  • I can’t stand it.
  • That’s a real headache.
  • If I could just get on my feet financially….
  • I (We) don’t have enough money…(for that)
  • I have the weight of the world on my shoulders.
  • It breaks my heart.
  • Well, I’ll be damned!
  • I can’t see (understand) that.
  • I’m shouldering the burden.
  • That turns my stomach.
  • I have butterflies in my stomach.
  • That’s a mind boggler.
  • Wait a minute.
  • I could just die!
  • That blows my mind.
  • What a lousy day.
  • I just need a break.
  • The recession……
  • Too good to be true.
  • Everything will be fine as soon as……
  • If only…..
  • No pain, no gain.
  • This is really hard.

From Awareness to Change

As you become more aware of statements and expressions that you use, it becomes easier to break the habit.

Many articles at this Web site address strategies and techniques for shifting from using disempowering language and thoughts to using empowering language and thoughts. We refer you especially to Asking Empowering Questions, Your Focus of Attention is your Key to Happiness, Say Goodbye to Struggle, and Five Types of Affirmations for Empowerment. You may also be interested in reading about our JoyPhrase Campaign in these two articles: Let’s Replace this Expression: “No Pain, No Gain’ and JoyPhrase Entries.

Adapted from the book, Affirmations: A Pathway to Transformation, © 1995, 2003, Marshall House, http://www.mhmail.com. Jeanie Marshall, a Personal Development Coach specializing in deep transformation and personal success, writes extensively on subjects related to personal development and empowerment. She assists professional coaches and consultants to write their knowledge, wisdom, and experiences.
Administrator posted at 2009-12-16 Category: Elevation, Knowledge, Thought, Understanding

3 Responses Leave a comment

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