Do the words that you say to yourself, or to another person really matter?

The words you speak and the things you say do have a huge impact not only on yourself, but others as well. Yes, what you say really does matter!

Have you ever spoken unkindly to someone? Did the words greatly affect that person? Words are indeed powerful; and when they are used carelessly to hurt someone, they can be destructive for that person.

Children are especially vulnerable to the words we speak to them. Many of us continue to use unkind and often insensitive words as a disciplinary measure to our children. As a result , many of them will grow up with low self-esteem, painfully shy, or feel they are not worth anything at all.

You may, at some time or another, called someone you know an idiot or stupid. While you may apologize once you realize your mistake, the word has already been spoken and gone out into the universe. You can’t take it back. The person on the receiving end of the insult may take it to heart, and that one simple word can change them forever.

Have you ever called yourself stupid, dumb, idiot? Have you berated yourself in front of the mirror because you feel fat? Do you realize every word you say is being processed by your subconscious and, in some cases, embeds itself there? Thus, it begins to seep into your conscious self and the feelings of self-worth begin to dissipate.

What you say ultimately translates into eventual belief. If you utter to yourself, "I am not a very good baseball player," you will never succeed in that sport. You are setting up a self-defeatist attitude even before you begin. When you begin a thought or a sentence with a negative word, your expectations can never be realized.

We live in a world where words are used to attack, cajole, belittle, disengage, provoke, and irritate. We not only hurt ourselves, we hurt others as well. Anger, frustration, and disappointment contribute to the misuse of words, and they are usually used without thinking about the consequences. Even though the aftermath of using unkind words are often realized, we still do it.

It is important to realize the affect words have on us. Whether we mean to say them or not, said often enough they can transform the very nature of who we are. We should try to use only those words which embrace the true essence of who we are and words that nurture and help us grow into positive, self confident person we were meant to be. We can begin a thought or sentence with a positive word, we can be certain that our expectations will be realized and our experience of life will also be positive.

The next time you speak, think about the words you are about to impart. Choose them wisely when speaking to your peers, and cautiously when speaking to children. Understand that one word can positively or negatively affect someone’s life; even your own.