“Do, or do not. There is no ‘try'”
— Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back
The little green guy with the big ears is right – in all honesty, there is no “trying” to accomplish something. Either we do it, or we don’t. We truly are the “masters of our domain.” That gray area where we can feel like we’re not calling the shots in our lives is triggered not necessarily by what we’re consciously thinking, but what words we’re actually using.
In the magnificent creation that is our mind, we’re simultaneously functioning on a variety of levels. When we carelessly say something that diminishes us in some way, even if we’re just joking, our subconscious mind picks up that energy and it becomes our reality.
For instance, someone might say, “You’re really good at yoga,” and you instinctively reply, “Oh, no! I’m not good! I’m a real klutz!” What you’ve just done is disrespect your effort, and you’ve also given your mind the message that you never will be able to execute a respectable Downward Dog or Salutation to the Sun. And guess what? By imprinting that negative message on your brain, you make it your reality.
The “You Validation” class we teach at the Optimum Health Institute (OHI) during your first week is a beautiful example of the power of recalibrating our words to train our mental and spiritual selves to cooperatively exist hand in hand.
During the profound class experience, one by one, each person must listen to all the other people in the circle saying something nice about them – anything from “You are so friendly every time I see you” to “It’s inspiring to hear you share your story.” Instead of being able to brush off the compliments or shoot them down with a self-deprecating remark, the person in the spotlight can only say, “Thank you!”
It’s overwhelming, sometimes embarrassing, challenging and ultimately so very healing to be able to hear nice things about yourself, and to accept them as reality. Through the You Validation class, people have permanently changed their perspective about themselves, and started to win at the word game.
Another way to win the word game is realizing how many times a day you diminish yourself by carelessly choosing words that can keep you feeling stuck, or powerless. One of our favorites at OHI – we don’t say it’s an “illness,” we say it’s a “health opportunity.”
When you say you “might” do something, you’re embracing a very passive attitude that certainly doesn’t inspire any active effort to accomplish it. Instead, switch “I might” to “I will,” and just see how quickly that simple change can click you into gear.
Here’s a list of common disempowering words and phrases, and the empowering substitutions that will make a world of difference. Try it and see! You have our word on it.
Disempowering
I might…
I can’t…
I’ll try…
I hope…
Illness…
I always…
I’m depressed…
I’m going to get…
But…
You make me feel…
Problem…
If Only…
Uh-Huh…
Huh-uh…
Always…
Never…
I have to…
I need…
Should…
Empowering
I will…
I choose not to…
I will…
I will…
Health Opportunity
In the past, I…
I’m choosing to be happy…
I have…
And
Opportunity or challenge
Next time
YES!
NO!
Sometimes
Seldom
I desire to; I choose to
I desire…
choose to
When your body, mind, and spirit are aligned, you can achieve good health. If you are looking for a holistic healing program, in San Diego or Austin, visit Optimum Health Institute . We can help you achieve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health. Call us at (800) 993-4325 to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.