It goes without saying that we humans are greatly influenced by the language we use: All we need to do is consider the billions of dollars spent each year (in the US alone) on advertising designed to influence our feelings and buying behaviors.
Also consider that a Google search on the single term “hypnosis” returns over 9,840,000 results: “Persuasion” returns even more . . . 13,100,000!
All these facts are clear indicators of the influence language can, and does, exert on our emotions, attitudes, beliefs and actions.
Too often, the language we use is so habituated, it is completely out of awareness, and fails to match actual, present experience. We frequently repeat the same old words and phrases we have used for years, without realizing exactly what we are saying and how we are discoloring the fresh experience of this moment. Yet, we distort it just the same; and this is true whether we are communicating with others or in dialoguing with self.
Unfortunately, we all too frequently err on the side of habituated negative self-talk, fears and worries. Yet, each time we do, we subtly reinforce a dis-eased self-image, and remain entrenched in symptom experiences; often, resulting in even more intensified symptoms!
With all the talk in recent years about the “law of attraction”, perhaps the language of “ill” health and “dis-ease” on the one hand, or self healing on the other, provide the clearest examples of the power of our words in manifesting experience!
Consider focusing for a spell on how “bad” or “terrible” or “awful” you’ve been feeling. What’s the liklihood of feeling stronger, more energized, or even “better” after such negative focus and commiserating? Most likely, whether dealing with a cold, chronic pain, or long-term disease, symptoms will persist and even intensify.
So, you say sure, but when I feel awful, . . . I feel awful! I don’t necessarily feel any better because of positive thinking or positive self-talk. In fact, I can feel worse! Actually, I happen to agree with you. What is . . . just is; and denying present experience typically proves to be nothing more than futile and frustrating mind games.
Consider also, however, that it is possible to pay attention to current symptoms for the uniquely fresh experiences they do provide. Indeed, linguistic research shows that turning your attention to this moment’s physical sensations can be significantly relieving!
An example would be to describe the color, shape, temperature, and sound of current symptoms. Once you have done so, you can then begin to play-with those sensations, and experience cooler colors, softer shapes, lower temperatures, and more pleasant sounds. . . Yes, this does take practice, but it also works!
I can personally attest to the power of this approach in self-relieving chronic pain; as well as professionally, in supporting others who learn the power of this same self healing response-ability!
And it all starts with the language of healing or “ill” health you choose in this moment. So, why not give it a try, practice for a bit? What do you have to lose, . . . except perhaps intense symptoms!
Please, do begin to pay attention to the dialogues going on inside (self-talk), as well as how you refer to symptoms when sharing such experiences with others; and let the “law of attraction” be a useful device to become more aware that the language you use now (be it healing or dis-ease) very simply creates more of the same.
Why not talk about it?
Caringly,
Malcolm
PS: If you would like to receive more, detailed and response-able self healing skills and tools, just let me know “I want my self healing tools now!“. [You will also receive a 30 page report on the unique, worldwide self-healing experiment you can begin participating in today!]
Tags: chronic illness, chronically ill, communicating, disease, healing, healing language, illness, persuasion, self, self healing, wellness
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What you have written here is so important, Malcolm. A few differently chosen words of self-talk can make a world of difference in how we feel, physically and emotionaly. RRR
Wonderful article! This is so true. I also see how this affects many people because of the negative image and “labeling” with ADD. I believe it’s very important to pay attention to the dialogues going on inside (self-talk). The patterns of your mind encourage you toward greatness or they cause you to flounder in mediocrity or worse.
Thanks,
Catherine Trammell
Malcolm, I want to thank-you for allowing people to “acknowledge how they are really feeling”, and not just ignore it. Your examples of how to “feel the pain”, and yet accept it and move into looking at it in a way that can “feel just a little better”, in some way, was very helpful.
Learning how to bridge the power of the mind and brain, while “not ignoring” how
we feel, is a gift you have to share with all.
I enjoy reading your posts, there is always “a gem” to be found.
Annette
I really enjoyed your post. One thing that came to mind, is the elderly. Some older people seem to enjoy poor health. They talk about their health more than any other topic. That in itself is unhealthy. With the elderly in mind I latched onto the bit about how can anyone begin to feel better when they focus so much on sharing their pain. I think they need to have access to your posts. Better yet, ever consider speaking at retirement communities?
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Victoria.
You are SO right about some older folks. Having been raised in the 50′s myself, I
know so much of western medicine was focused on “ridding symptoms”: Ill health was
expected, and “enhancing wellness” was only for those “weirdos” on the fringe.
So, I can certainly understand how life for those born even a couple decades earlier can
make all this “wellness” focus seem so foreign.
On the other hand, my Mother is still very active at 91 — still drives safely, plays daily on her computer
and the internet. I know one of the most significant reasons is her daily focus is on the beauty in her
world, her kids, grand kids, great grandchildren, & spirituality! I know she feels “uncomfortable” often,
but she just doesn’t give in to it.
Perhaps SHE should be giving such trainings: She would certainly bring credibility to those older folks
younger than her. :>)
Thank you for your comments, Victoria!
Malcolm
Thank you, Annette!
I’m grateful these posts are of benefit to Coaching Self Healing readers.
Malcolm
You are SO right, Catherine, about the negative self-images arising from the labels associated with so many “diagnoses”. We too easily mis-identify with reactions of others.
One of the response-able skills for self healing includes learning to appreciate “who I am at core” — so, so much deeper than superficial labels and appearances!
Keep up your good work with those challenged by ADD — so important, the work you are doing!
Malcolm
Nice, clear way of putting it, Rebecca: “a few differently chosen words of self-talk . . .”
Such power in those words!
Thank you,
Malcolm
Great article Malcom! I LOVE how you give us permission to be proactive. Kudos to you:>)
Thanks for sharing your insight.
Jacqui Dobens
Thank you, Jacqui!
Malcolm,
I was so pleased to see you advocating The Law of Attraction as an aid to self-healing.And you did it so kindly, as we have come to expect from Malcolm. You agreed that their pain and discomfort is what it is…and being positive won’t make it go away.But taking the attitude that looking at the experience of healing and all it entails can be positive.Just deciding that you are going to use the pain/discomfort as a learning & growing process is being positive and reinforces the idea that going negative will just just add to the current difficulty. I am personally such a strong believer in the LoA.I KNOW that our thoughts do determine what will be real in our lives. Those who genuinely pick up on your thoughts and “get it” will definitely speed up their self-healing process.Well done,Malcolm.
Astonishing to read your perspective of how not running away from painful experiences actually becomes the handle to mastering them. I think it’s astonishing because I know you’ve truly DONE it and “got the tee-shirt” and that it wasn’t easy. Been reading “Why We Do What We Do” (Understanding Self-Motivation) by Edward L. Deci the past few days and he agrees with you – pointing out that people are motivated not so much by rewards and punishments (pleasure/pain), but by having the choice of “doing it their WAY” – being autonomous, real, authentic, true to self. If we want that kind of power in our lives we’ll need to be able to face our pain, physical or mental, and choose our self-talk about it, the way we choose what to wear each day. Am I going to dress in the “latest fashion” so everyone will complement me (agree with me), or am I going to dress according to what I truly value and want to express (be creative in self-expression). Thank you, Malcolm for walking-the-walk — I’m listening and getting it! Laraine
Thank YOU, Laraine!
Great metaphor (how we dress up for others)! Yet, beneath that costume, each of us simply is . . . the same and unique.
May we each learn to shine . . . without the felt “need” to “dress up” the naked truth IAM.
Blessings,
Malcolm
Thank you, Jerry!
I can only agree with you. We walk our pain or we walk our healing.
May we choose wisely!
Malcolm