It's All In The Way We Talk

in ecotrain •  7 years ago  (edited)

The Power of Words, the way we choose to use our words/language really has a huge influence in how we live our lives. By putting our intentions out into the world, by making them known, we are at the start of our journey to create them into existence.

The way we choose to phrase certain things really has a huge influence, whether it is in a positive or negative way, especially when we are conversing with other people. This is especially true when we are dealing with 'authority figures', and yes some are very aware of the amount of power they are throwing around and taking from others by doing so, but the people who are being stripped of their power and choices are they aware of what is happening to them?

I often think back to this quite popular rhyme I heard as a child:

sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me.

Where did this even come from. Was it created in innocence, to try and protect children from bullying behaviour? Yet words are what we carry with us , it is words that can build us up or tear us down. But it is also up to us whether or not we give those words power, those words that were meant to hurt us. Those words that are said to offend us or knock us down. What needs to happen, is more conversations about words and power. Because when we say things like that rhyme, we are saying words have no power, that they have no power over us. Which can be very true if you are aware of the choice you have in giving those words power. But how many people have that awareness, how many are able to put that awareness into practice. Because it all starts with us. How aware we are, how strong we feel, how in-tune we are with our true self. All of these things dictate how we respond to certain words, it reflects how we are, within ourselves. If we are struggling with certain things we can become very sensitive and we can easily become very dis empowered by what people say to us.

One area where, the use of power with words is very dominant, is within the health profession. It goes without saying that the health professionals are very experienced in the knowledge that they have learnt, they have spend years learning about illness and how to diagnose and treat those illnesses and they carry this air of authority around with them. An air that demands respect. However we are all different and just because they have the knowledge behind the illness, they should not be so quick to think that they have the knowledge behind the person. To assume that one treatment will work for all, really is very outdated and harmful. Using terms like 'We Need To Do This' leaves people feeling like they have no other option over what is being suggested to them. It prevents questions from being asked, questions that can lead to people being more informed. Preventing people from being able to make informed decisions about their care, about their bodies.



Image Source

I have seen health professionals become very dismissive with patients when they are describing side effects of medication and symptoms, the language they use becomes very condescending, especially with the elderly using the term pet and dear. Or saying 'I wouldn't worry too much about that It will pass', on top of that is the fact that they use terms , jargon that unless you work within the health system you will likely have no idea what is being said to you. Making people feel so unqualified to discuss their own health, resulting in them just accepting everything that they are told, because who are they to question these Professionals.

Well, I would like to help remind those people, that you are the owner of your Body and you should want to know everything that is happening to it. It is your body, it is your power that they are taking. We really need to start taking back control of our health.

So many pregnant women experience a lot of stress as a result of the phrases used by professionals, how many times are women told 'We are a bit worried that this may occur', or 'there is a chance 'the emphasis being on worry and not on may. No parent wants to hear that anyone is worried or concerned about the pregnancy or unborn baby, so the minute that word is used the parents quite naturally become concerned and stressed. But what is not taken into consideration is that fact that they said 'may',which in fact means that at that moment there is nothing to worry about, but that is never said. How about letting things progress naturally in the pregnancy and not introducing fear. How many people undergo unnecessary stress or intervention all because they were made fearful, made to to feel like they would be irresponsible if they did not take the professionals advice. When actually there was no need for any intervention in the first place and the preventative intervention given is actually very harmful.

One example is pregnant women undergoing ultrasound scans. I have already written an article about the risks of ultrasounds and also the link between ultrasounds and a rise in autism. You can read that article here. So many women end up making choices which are more to do with the professionals preferences rather than their own.

The power of words being used to manipulate people, is nothing new. We just have to look at the advertising business to see how effective it is. Using words that inspire you to act, that create positive emotions are used all the time. Everything in advertising is so Exciting, so Unique and so New, these words really seem to make people listen, they are of course all positive. While I am here with my family and living in their space, it has been interesting to hear how many times these words are used in advertising. How many of them have the WOW Factor. People buying things because of these magic words that they hear, but ultimately it is because they have been told to.

I love words, I love playing with words when I write poetry, I always choose my words carefully, I do that in order to get my message across. I am fully aware of the power of words, of the spell they put us under. This understanding I have between the words I use and the intention I send out with them. Is indeed creating a spell.

So What Is Your Intention With The WORDS You Choose To Use?

What SPELL Do You Wish To Cast?

Language is the means of connection, not only to others but more importantly to ourselves. For our words reveal us, not just by meaning but by the intention by which we empower them and the attachment we place upon them. But the power of words belongs not to who speaks them, but to who receives them. In them, we find the reflection that we may choose to embrace or transcend. For words can only tell the stories of who we believe we are, they cannot limit what we are – the embodiment of an infinite possibility.
~M.D. Martin
http://mymindfulmoment.com/2016/08/20/the-power-of-words/


1st Image Source:http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/234327/words-have-the-power-to-both-heal-and-destroy.-translation-exercise.-all-levels




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