I remember reading the power of language at a very young
age. I not only understood that specific words affect our
mental pictures, but positive words are a powerful programming
factor in lifelong success.
One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a
kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around
upside down. So, it came to no
surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging
back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree
could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so
high.
My older cousin, was also in the same tree. She was hanging on
the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Her mother also
noticed us at the exact time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of
wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the
tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the wind yell,
"Hold on tight." So I did. The next thing I know, I heard Tammy
screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had
fallen out of the tree.
I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she
fell and I did not. Apparently, when Tammy's mother felt the gust of
wind, she yelled out, "Be Careful, don't fall!" and she did fall.
My dad then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time
processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal
pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for her to process the
command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first imagine
falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined.
Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me
hanging on tight.
This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a
habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only
way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word
for what you want to do and visualize that. For example, when I was
thirteen years old, I played for my high school team. I
tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that
age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running
out for a catch, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball.
Psychologists claim it takes seventeen
positive statements to offset one negative statement. I have no idea if
it is true, but the logic holds true. It might take up to seventeen
compliments to offset the emotional damage of one harsh criticism.
Ask yourself how many compliments you give daily versus how
many criticisms. Heck, I know you are talking to yourself all day long.
We all have internal voices that give us direction.
Let's start not only thinking positive, but even talking and acting will help self and people around us to move forward.
