Living Intentionally: Intentional Words
As I sat down to write this morning I was browsing Facebook and I started seeing a bit of a theme. I was seeing many posts on our "words", how we "speak", the "power of our words" and decided that was the direction we'd go today. Because really, the words we speak, whether to ourselves or to others have phenomenal impact on how our intentionality plays out. I would say the main reason some of my intentions don't play out is because I've talked myself out of them. Let's take working out....the BIGGEST thing that I've had a hard time being intentional about. I talk myself out of this more often than not. "I have too much to do", "I'm just not feeling good", etc...I speak these words and poof, no exercise that day!
Think about the words you speak to yourself everyday, even without thinking about it. Are they positive or negative. What about the words you speak to your family, friends, circumstances? Do we speak kindness to strangers or friends, yet tear ourselves and our families down. We've all read Facebook posts that are filled with negative thinking, words, ideas. Right now we are bombarded with so many negative political campaigns, and candidates just can't seem to stay away from negative words about their opponents. Like, they can't win just by stating why they, themselves are qualified. Think about it. For years and years, that is one way product manufacturers sell their products...by putting down the competition. When someone has a need to make themselves look good or validate themselves, they will put someone else down, criticize, make them look bad. Do you see how we are bombarded with negativity even without even realizing it?
So now, take time today and this week and pay attention to what you read, hear, speak. Is it mostly positive, or is it negative. Try this: Take a sheet of paper, on one side write the negative words or thoughts that you say or hear, then beside it write an opposite, positive word or thought. Now tear the paper in half, crumple up and throw away the negative side. Find Social Media pages that promote positivity. Hide friends that are perpetually negative. Begin speaking positive things to and about yourself and others, no matter what your circumstances are.
I am visual, so I printed a few sheets to help me see the positive. Here are links to those resources. I also copied some pages from my daughters adult coloring books that had inspiring words.
Printable sheet "This is the year I purpose to...."
Printable coloring sheet "Live your life on purpose"
Today I realized that I haven't looked at these much, just being honest, because that also takes being intentional. Time for some renewed purpose over here! How about you? What have you been learning about being intentional, whether from here or elsewhere?
What do you choose today? Death or life? Negative or Positive? Unintentional or Intentional?
With Joy Unquenchable,
Think about the words you speak to yourself everyday, even without thinking about it. Are they positive or negative. What about the words you speak to your family, friends, circumstances? Do we speak kindness to strangers or friends, yet tear ourselves and our families down. We've all read Facebook posts that are filled with negative thinking, words, ideas. Right now we are bombarded with so many negative political campaigns, and candidates just can't seem to stay away from negative words about their opponents. Like, they can't win just by stating why they, themselves are qualified. Think about it. For years and years, that is one way product manufacturers sell their products...by putting down the competition. When someone has a need to make themselves look good or validate themselves, they will put someone else down, criticize, make them look bad. Do you see how we are bombarded with negativity even without even realizing it?
So now, take time today and this week and pay attention to what you read, hear, speak. Is it mostly positive, or is it negative. Try this: Take a sheet of paper, on one side write the negative words or thoughts that you say or hear, then beside it write an opposite, positive word or thought. Now tear the paper in half, crumple up and throw away the negative side. Find Social Media pages that promote positivity. Hide friends that are perpetually negative. Begin speaking positive things to and about yourself and others, no matter what your circumstances are.
I am visual, so I printed a few sheets to help me see the positive. Here are links to those resources. I also copied some pages from my daughters adult coloring books that had inspiring words.
Printable sheet "This is the year I purpose to...."
Printable coloring sheet "Live your life on purpose"
Today I realized that I haven't looked at these much, just being honest, because that also takes being intentional. Time for some renewed purpose over here! How about you? What have you been learning about being intentional, whether from here or elsewhere?
"Words Kill. Words give life. They're either poison or fruit. You choose.Proverbs 18:21 (msg)
What do you choose today? Death or life? Negative or Positive? Unintentional or Intentional?
With Joy Unquenchable,
This is something I've been working on. I find filling my mind with positive things helps so much...however, there are those days when I really blow it. Ugh! I pray a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteI think we all have days when we blow it. So thankful for grace and second chances...and third and fourth!
DeleteLOVE THIS! Just posted a survival guide this morning for the rest of this election season and like you said I have had to hide the feed of those who are perpetually negative. Why do we think it's a good idea to take our ugliest most vile thoughts and then speak them? Thank you for reminding us about the power of our words!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thank you. Words that we speak are so beyond important to those that are around us. The power of loving, intentional words can never be the wrong way.
ReplyDelete