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Power Of Words

Humans are sensitive to repetition. Do you believe that if you use a descriptive word often enough in communication with someone that they eventually believe it is true about them because the word has a subconscious meaning in their minds? Take into consideration this statement:

You are intelligent - even if it is not true

Words Power

I think so, unless they have an equally persistant person telling them the opposite of what you are. Also I think that your relationship with the person has some bearing on it. But repeating something definitely affects how people view themselves.

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I know this is true. For all of his life my cousin was told by his parents that he was clumsy and no-good-for-nothing. Yes, as a child he was clumsy, but not any more so than any other child. He was more interested in what was happening above him then in looking at his feet when he walked. Put shoes on a two year old child that weigh a pound each and that child is going to be clumsy, hold onto that childs hand and not slow your adult steps to accommodate his baby steps and he will be clumsy.

As for being *good-for-nothing*, well that is and was so far from the truth. There is absolutely no one on earth that is *good-for-nothing*, not a human, nor animal, plant, mineral or even an insect. Even slugs have uses ~ I'm just not sure what.

Being told this all his life, and by his parents no less, that he is worthless has instilled in him that Yes, he is worthless. He did poorly in school, his friends were not the best of people. He got into trouble. In short he truly did live up to his parents words.

After a short stint in the local county jail for joyriding in a stolen vehicle his life changed directions. The arresting officer made quite an impression on him, and my cousin started to see himself as a worth while person. That officer made him feel as though he was a worthwhile person, that he had something valuable to give to others. Nothing the rest of the extended family (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins) had ever said to him to counter what his parents had been saying had made a difference. His extended family are so very thankful for this officer.

My cousin is now a Police Officer, he is married and has 5 children. His life is rich and full. He won't allow his mother (father has since passed away) to say negative things to or about anyone in his or his children's presence. He is no longer clumsy nor was he ever no-good-for-nothing!

The same holds true for positive words. Tell a child often enough that they are smart and they will learn and become smart. Tell a child often enough that they are beautiful, even though they are not, and they will feel they are beautiful and see themselves as beautiful. Tell a child often enough that they can accomplish
anything, and they will.

Words Power

Not only do I believe repitition can have a great effect on people, but they will also grow into what they are hearing. For instance if someone is plain face, but they are constantly told how beautiful they are they they start to really believe it. After sometime they start taking care of themselves and next thing you know they are really better looking that the average person. Of course conversely the same is true - you tell a good looking person they are ugly and slowly the will be come unpresentable, stop taking care of themselves and depressed. Such is the power of words.

Ramsus said...

I think that is true, but if it is heard many times by various people (even strangers) then it can have more power than the person you esteem the most. This is why what we listen to and the company we keep is so important to our self-esteem.

Words Power

I'd like to put a slightly different spin on this concept. As a recovering alkie/junkie I was strongly urged in the beginning to practice self-affirmations. The exercise is simple enough. Look yourself in the eye in front of the mirror and say aloud to yourself, "I love you," and sincerely mean it.

The process often starts out awkwardly. It's not uncommon in the beginning to have difficulty making eye contact with oneself. (In the beginning the most I could do was stick out my tongue ) Gradually one may work up to feeling comfortable smiling at oneself, and perhaps even laughing. Progress begins to really manifest when one can honestly say to his/her reflection, "I like you," "You're doing good," or other positive statements. Markedly improved self-esteem is evident when one can finally confidently profess love for him/herself. Like the ones of old said many moons ago, love for others isn't possible unless we love ourselves.

Power Of Words

Thanks, fugitive247- I also believe that speaking to oneself has a profound effect, whether positive or negative. I have a friend whose father always made him say, "I like myself!" ten times before he left for school. Now he really does. He is incredibly successful. Because I am a voice student, I routinely tell my body when in the semester I can get sick. For example, I will sometimes audibly say several times daily, "I can be ill on December 11th. Until then, I cannot afford it." I almost always stay healthy at least until my target date. Repetition is an easy way to focus mental energy and get results.

Power Words

Words have a strong effect, there is no doubt about it! Think about the propaganda...It is aim to more people then one and it has also big influence on them ( They could really think that they are the chosen ones or something)

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Words definitely effect self-esteem. Ever since I can remember I've been told by my parents that I'm worthless and I can't ever do anything. Unless, of course, they're bragging to their friends. Then I'm a star child.

So, growing up, I had a very low opinion of myself. Because of that, I spent the majority of my life incredibly depressed, though I could easily hide that by being quirky and outgoing.

The first person to really see it was my boyfriend when we first met during my freshman year of high school. He is always encouraging me and telling me that I'm beautiful and that I'm smart, etc. Six years down the road, he has had more of an impact on me than I think he realizes. His encouraging words have made me realize that God created me exactly how he wants me. I still go through those little bouts where I feel really bad about myself, but they're very short and far in between.

Words have the power to break somebody, but they also have the ability to lift somebody up. Think about how many people's lives have been saved because somebody decided to be a friend. This past Summer I heard stories every week from girls about how they were close to suicide, but then they got a phone call from a friend, or a friend came over and talked to them.