Start with your language.
“The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”
~ Ludwig Wittgenstein
Quick — what words are in your head right now?
What was the last sentence you said to yourself?
What was the last sentence you said to someone else?
Every time you use language, you create a new reality.
Whether you tell yourself how fantastic you are… or not. Whether you ask someone out for a drink or coffee or lunch or cancel plans. Whether you make a grocery list or talk over your meal prep plan with someone. Whether you tell someone you want to marry them or that you’d rather just be friends.
There is no time you use language that you are not making the world within and around yourself different.
So what are you doing with that power?
Really think about that for a moment… what are you doing with the power to LITERALLY create new reality with your words?
Pay attention for a day or two — what words are coming out of your mouth that you don’t even think about? Do they constrict with a focus on lack, complaining, the impossibility of everything and the difficulty of life such as it is? Or do invite you and the world to bloom with gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and possibility?
Friend, this matters. Deeply and profoundly this matters. You matter, and the words you use matter.
As you’re in the process of paying attention, also notice: do you take yourself out of your power? Do you argue for your limitations? If you use phrases like “sort of,” “just,” “only,” “it’s nothing,” “should,” you are arguing for your limitations. Nothing about you is ‘just’ something — it is vibrant and powerfully YOU! You never have ‘sort of’ emotions or experiences — you experience everything from raging joy to bleak grief. You are front and center for the events of your life. You feel the pull of aspiration and the excitement of creative pursuits. Do yourself justice with your language.
Speak shameless truth to your formidable existence.
Did I mention that this matters? That you literally create reality with your words and phrase choices?
There is no shame or blame here. We use language so intensely every day all day it is easy to fall into habitual conversations and ways of thinking that are comfortable in their smallness.
AND —
If you want to change your reality for the better, start here.
Observing your use of language (internally and externally) is free. There’s no special gadget to buy, no formulated supplement you need, no books or courses or programs.
ALL you need is the power of your attention and a willingness to be honest with yourself about the reality you ARE creating with your language and the reality you WANT to create with your language.
Speak Well and Live Big!
Until next time,
Katherine
p.s. If you want to hear more about this topic, check out Ponder and Practice episode #17 here!
p.p.s. if you want to learn more about how to use your language most effectively, check out Language and the Pursuit of Happiness, by Chalmers Brothers.