Old Words, New Thoughts
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. | Aristotle
Sometimes the simplest statements make the most difference. Do you remember a time when someone said, “I love you,” or “You’re going to be ok,” and it turned your day—even your life—around? Words can have a distinct impact on how we feel, how we view ourselves, and how we interact with other people.
When people say negative things to us, or we say negative things to ourselves, we can easily get caught in a cycle of pain. Instead of being able to measure the words against our true identities to determine whether we should adjust our behavior or simply dismiss the words, we often record the negativity and play it over and over like a tape recorder in our minds. The messages we tell ourselves can become a defining part of who we are.
Many people who suffer from addiction have a negative message playing in their minds. That message says things like: You’re not good enough; you’ll never measure up; you’re a terrible person; no one will love you; look what you’ve done; you’d never make it without drugs and alcohol. These horrible words affect their choices and keep them from getting help. Sometimes it takes a lot of positive words and lot of rethinking for these people to see themselves in a new light. But no amount of encouragement is wasted, and even a little bit can go a long way. Reaching out to someone in love, or even sharing your story of recovery—or the story of someone you know who has overcome addiction—can be the extra boost that a person needs to make the step toward recovery.
We live with a lot of old words in our minds. Positive words, negative words, defining words. But our thoughts can be new each day, and different thinking patterns can transform the old words we hear in our heads. With each sunrise, we have a completely new set of opportunities to reinvent the message we tell ourselves and other people.
Don’t forget how much your voice matters. Tell your story today and inspire other people to change their lives for the better. What’s the best word of encouragement someone has ever given you? What would you say to those living in a cycle of addiction and negativity? Comment here or tell us on Facebook! We would love for you to share your words with us.