The Words We Choose
Words, whether written or spoken, are a large part of communication between individuals of our species. Non-verbal body language and our metaphysical impressions account for additional pieces of the communication experience, but it is our words on which we consciously rely the most and which provide perhaps the most obvious insight into our intimate thoughts and beliefs. If we are aware of the words we use, they become tools to help us change our perspectives and, consequently, our realities. But how aware of them, and their hidden meanings, are we?
Think. It was kindly suggested to me yesterday to “remove ‘think’ from your vocabulary”. With ‘think’, there is doubt, there is uncertainty, there is no commitment to a decision, and there is an intellectual rationalization of circumstances. Replace ‘think’ with ‘feel’ and we suddenly find ourselves facing truth and a conscious decision. We know things on a much deeper, truer level with ‘feel’ than the level implied by ‘think’.
Try. How much more indecisive a word can you get? But, if we replace ‘try’ with ‘do’ (or ‘I will’), we once more find ourselves with a more conscious and binding commitment and the process of having made a decision. Either you will or you won’t… you do, or you don’t do… either way, there is a decision made. ‘Try’ is a half-hearted ‘thought’ and means very little when it gets right down to it. It is an expression of uncertainty and fear. Recognize it, where and how it appears in your speech, and recognize your fears.
Personal pronouns, such as ‘I’ and ‘me’ have little place in the spiritual warrior’s vocabulary. They indicate the presence of personal ego, and although there are times when some level of ‘me’ and ‘I’ are appropriate, shouldn’t we, with our open, loving and compassionate hearts, step out of our egocentric physical realities and do our best to help others by putting others before ourselves? Our choice of words here reflects our level of ego. Change your words, and change your perspective from narcissistic to more global.
Another phrase, ‘can not’, along with others of its ilk, are often overused in our modern society and used without conscious awareness. These too connote indecision and non-commitment, fear, and usually a lack of compassion as well. Unless somebody is asking you to levitate up the side of a building or fix a car when you currently have no mechanical knowledge, there’s little use for these kinds of terms. And even if asked to do one of the examples given, with ample time, you may just be able to accomplish the task requested. So is it that you can not, or that you will not, and why? And so we may glean another insight into our true thoughts and beliefs if we catch the real prompt for such phrases.
And of course, hateful and violent language should never be used. There is no place for words, concepts and phrases like ‘hate’ and ‘I’ll kill you’, or concepts such as prejudice and entitlement in a truly civilized society.
Peace.
Namaste.
You must belogged in to post a comment.