The Power of Your Words

What is a relationship anyway? How are relationships developed? There are several ways relationships are formed and developed. Time together will build a relationship. Having similar interests can help two people connect in their relationship. But have you thought about the power of words in your most important relationships? You see, words can build a relationship into a place of safety and peace; or words can destroy and diminish a relationship into a place of fear and anxiety. We live in a time where we are bombarded with words from every direction - tv, radio, texts, emails, teachers, commercials, music, etc.

We even have inner dialogue with our own self as we listen to how we think and talk about ourself to others.

We may even be unaware of the unconscious use of words about others or ourself. Whether we are talking to others or talking to ourself, our words have a huge impact on all our relationships. The gravity of our words is powerful indeed. It is by using words that we create relationships with others. Our words influence and shape the landscape between us and others. Words carry deep meaning and are loaded with emotional weight whether we are aware of it or not. They ultimately shape the emotional environment of our relationships.

In the Bible passage found in Proverbs 18:21, we read, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Essentially, we can use our words to build others up or use our words to tear them down.

Neuroscience has pointed out that positive language can boost our mood and deepen emotional intimacy with others. Negative words can lead to cycles of mistrust, bitterness, and contempt. Through such research, positive language and words can literally change your brain. Yes, positive words like love, peace and compassion strengthen areas of the brain's frontal lobes, and promote cognitive function. Positive language makes you feel great physically, mentally, and emotionally. On the flip side, negative language can block the brain's natural destress mechanisms which leads to tension and unhappiness.

So, the final conclusion is to use positive words to create and build healthy,

emotionally meaningful relationships and to avoid the use negative words. If someone followed you around and recorded your conversations for one day, would they find more positive words ... or more negative words? Remember,

the words you use are your choice. Go and build others up with your words!