3 Ways the Words You Use Impact Others

Words. We all use them.

Different languages. Various dialects. Countless perspectives. Cultural meanings and topical illustrations.?

With all of this variety and difference and understanding- we all know one thing to be true: words matter.?

Communication matters. How we express our intention, clarify our thoughts, and share stories is as much a part of us as any element of our DNA.?

We know emotion. We can seemingly sense it long before we see it expressed. We understand energy. We feel it deeply as if it is telling us the story of humanity and nature and the universe.?

Words, of any language, are simply painting the details of our perception of this universe.?

But this beauty of language, of words, is also what also serves as the obstacle. We are telling a story but that story is from our perception of life. And we are sharing this perception with others who have a completely different experience taking place.?

Their path is not our path. Our path is not theirs. We are each taking part in seemingly the same experience yet within a completely different construct. We are all living life. But those lives are so vastly different it’s often hard to comprehend.?

Yet, all at once, the very words we use to describe and tell stories and communicate matter! They matter at such a deep level that with the wrong word you can crush relationships or with the right word you can inspire someone to achieve the unachievable.

So how do we begin to understand the power of words? How do we push toward mastering what often seems so difficult? How do we measure and use and choose words that share our experience with others while also leaving room for others to share with us?

First, we begin by understanding the very power of words. Until we become aware of how our words impact others, it is difficult to understand their power. This is true for everyone. It is especially true for those who may be in a position to impact many. Realizing the power words contain when communicating with one person is difficult enough. Comprehending the power of words when communicating with many? That may be an immeasurable task.?

But let’s begin today by exploring the 3 ways the words we use impact others.?

1- Words reflect AND project energy

Words are simply the verbal manifestation of a conversation that has already taken place. There is a conversation happening each moment within yourself. Conversations about life, situations, hardships, successes- conversations about events that have yet to occur or that may never occur!?

But these conversations are taking place constantly. You know them well. You know the language you use with yourself and that language is creating the lens through which you view the environment around you.?

This internal language creates an energy within that always projects outwardly. And often, that projection comes through words.?

Have you ever known someone who seems to always succeed? No matter what they do- life just tends to go their way. They get a big promotion at every job they’ve had. They get a deal every time they make a purchase. They stumble across opportunities as if it’s christmas morning each day of their lives! They even win with every lottery ticket they buy.?

It doesn’t stop! They are thriving and if you ask why?- this person seemingly can’t even explain it.?

But if you were to look deeper, if you were to step inside their mind, what you would find is a different conversation. It’s not that each internal conversation taking place within is perfect. No. It’s that they understand how to turn the conversation into an energy starter rather than an energy depleter. They know that when doubt creeps in or when negativity shows its head, they quickly turn this conversation around.?

Opportunity does await around each corner of life. And this person understands that. Once they experience a success, rather than discounting the success they praise this moment! That praise and excitement of opportunity coming their way feeds into the next moment, then the next.

They are banking positivity.?

But what does this have to do with words? As we shift the internal conversation from negative to positive, as we build structures of positive energy within our imagination, that positivity begins projecting outwardly. Most often, through language.?

The person that is thriving is constantly encouraging others to thrive as well. When someone speaks of what they can’t do, the successful person speaks to them of what they CAN do. This shift is small, it’s simple, but ever so powerful.?

Words reflect the internal conversation that has already taken place and projects that conversation onto others. Words can shift the atmosphere and energy in an entire room, building, community, organization. The question becomes, what are your words projecting?

2- Words speak life, or death. You choose.

This may seem like a strong statement regarding words. But it is a truth.?

The words you use are as powerful as life or death. With one sentence you can give someone healing energy or take from them their desire for hope. With a few words you can inspire someone to battle or give them permission to bury their head in the sand.?

A perfect stranger can stand before an audience of thousands and invoke courage or rage. Joy or sorrow. Faith or discontent.?

And the scary part? It doesn’t take much. In fact, words are so powerful that the one speaking these words doesn’t even have to believe them to impact the ones hearing these words. How miraculous is that?!?

You don’t even have to believe what you are saying to impact those listening!?

Which is why words matter.?

Choose wisely. Lest your words, with lack of belief, become the measure by which you are held accountable. Because we are always held responsible for our words.?

3- Words are a mirror

Language is a funny thing. Without comprehending a language being spoken, you can often understand the story being told. Through expression, influction, and energy, you can identify the story that is unfolding.?

Because words are a mirror. They reflect the internal conversation, the emotion, and the energy in such a way that becomes a mirror for the one listening. We relate to words. They invigorate our souls. They jumpstart the mind and the imagination.?

Words have a way of seeping into our depths. They open doors to thoughts and dreams and pain and exuberance. Words are the lifeline to emotion.?

Remembering that words are a mirror, reflecting ourselves onto another, becomes a powerful lesson in communication. This lesson teaches us that we must weigh our words carefully. It teaches us to be aware of the internal conversation taking place within. It teaches us to become conscious of how our words may be impacting those listening.?

Words reflect our energy and project this energy onto others. This projection can give others permission to explore their fullness or doubt their humanity. This projection can invite others into a deep conversation or shut them off from truly opening up.?

And the reality of permission is we are in control of what permission is given. And it often begins with words.