
During my recent women in business retreat, I had a profound reminder of the potent influence words hold over us, resonating even on a cellular level. As the saying goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Yet, as I reminisced about my fifth-grade self, hurling a dictionary in response to prove my point about hurtful words, I realized the fallacy in that statement.
My sister raised her daughters with the belief that there are good and bad words. Good words - like happy, helpful, funny! Bad words - like ugly, stupid and mean. And socially unacceptable words that can be altered to become acceptable - like shoot, heck and darn. As I get older, I understand words are not just good and bad. Some are empowering, inspiring, and loving while others convey negative, sad, angry emotions or make us feel embarrassed, anxious, scared, helpless, alone. And what about socially unacceptable words?
Clearly the use of language and words influence buying decisions. Last year, over $675 billion was spent on advertising. If each dollar was represented by a human being, it would fill the largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere, Michigan Stadium, every day for 17,203 years. We have scientific studies that show positive and negative words not only affect us on a deep psychological level, but they have a significant impact on the outcome of our lives.
Dr. Masaru Emoto's unconventional studies on water crystallization shed light on the profound impact of words and intentions. While his experiments have faced criticism from the scientific community, they sparked discussions about the potential influence of consciousness on the environment and human health. Although the direct correlation between human thoughts and water's molecular structure remains speculative, the idea prompts reflection on the interconnectedness of mind, body, and environment.
Considering that the human body is predominantly water, the notion that thoughts and intentions could subtly affect our well-being gains further significance. While scientific validation of these claims is limited, the concept underscores the importance of cultivating positivity and mindfulness in our interactions with ourselves and the world around us.
If we acknowledge that our bodies are profoundly affected by negative vibrations, we must confront the potential threat to our well-being posed by such discourse. Beyond the documented impact on mental health, the possibility of negative energies influencing us on a cellular level raises alarming questions about broader societal implications.
This leads me to reflect on the uncivil discourse permeating various facets of our lives, contributing to stress, frustration, and division. And while empirical evidence may be lacking, this concept strikes me as a poignant reminder of the power we hold to shape our reality and health through our words and intentions. The idea that our collective thoughts and emotions are emitting energies which influence our surroundings and fellow human beings, calls for collective responsibility in countering negativity and division, advocating for a culture of kindness, compassion, and unity.
The takeaway is clear: promoting civility, empathy, and constructive dialogue is essential. By fostering environments of respect and understanding, we not only safeguard our mental and emotional well-being but also potentially mitigate the negative effects of discordant energies on our physical health.
I am not saying we should all hold hands and sing Kumbaya. But what if we did? What if aspired to a higher, cooperative way of disagreeing. What if we listened to understand? What if we kept our dialogue civil and respectful? Imagine what could be done with just some of the $4.4 trillion spent on healthcare last year.
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