Your Word - August 8th 2020

As promised, my art work evolution over the previous few days is below. Props to good old Bob Ross for his amazing lessons.

But first! I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk a bit about our ‘word’.

What does that mean? Well our word is the trust that people have in our promises. The certainty that we’ll do something when we say we will. When others can rely on the value of our word, the world runs a little more smoothly. If we all did what we said we would, it would be a pretty great thing. But if we all recognized the weight that our words carried and took responsibility for those words, this world would be truly amazing. No more hollow promises or hollow threats. No more bullying or grandstanding. No more false accusations and no more hiding behind a false mask for political gain. All of this simply because we valued our word.

I know, I know… A perfect world where words are a certainty is an idyllic and fanciful thought. Something that will likely never catch on. BUT, we don’t just make promises to those around us. Our word doesn’t only matter to family and friends. Our word matters to us! The most important person that our words affect is our own self!

We’re constantly having an internal monologue. Should I do this? Could I do that? Maybe this?

Start putting weight behind the words you speak to yourself. Say things with conviction! Mean what you say and say what you mean! It’s only yourself, you don’t need to pretend! Your words are what gives you confidence, but you need to speak them first. Your words can push you forward or hold you back. When you start to recognize how much power your own words have over yourself, you’ll start to see a change. You’ll put yourself down less and build yourself up more. And you’ll start to do the things you say you’ll do.

Kim knows this firsthand. I am constantly praising myself. Every time I work out I say something ridiculous like, “My arms are freaking JACKED!” And while I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate hearing my self-praise on the regular, it helps me. It motivates me. Those words are my reward and that reward is what pushes me to work out again the next day.

The same thing goes with my writing. When I write something awful, I’ll skip over it. I might say something negative quickly but I’ll move on to the next line without another thought. And when I write something I absolutely love, I’ll shout it out from the rooftops for the whole world to hear!

In today’s world it’s viewed as cocky and arrogant to self-praise, but it’s for some reason respected and seen as inspired when people are self-deprecating. We need to change up the rules and start rewarding positivity over negativity.

Our own words are powerful, especially to us. Don’t squander that power by putting yourself down.