Don't think about a flying pink elephant with big ears and blue eyes!

If you've read the title, chances are you are most probably thinking of a flying pink elephant with big ears and blue eyes.

As you've already heard and read from pretty much everywhere, our words are very powerful. Our tongue is the only muscle that can break a person's heart without making physical contact. Our words induce emotional states in others, and even in our own selves when we are self-talking!

Whether those states would be positive or negative, that would depend, of course, on how we speak to others. Have you ever said to a kid, "Don't eat ice cream because it's bad"? And then, the kid proceeds to do exactly what you tell him not to do. Argh!!!

The truth is our brain is just as stubborn as that pesky kid you just talked to. If you're driving in a highway while trying to avoid a red speeding car, for sure, you will be constantly looking at your rear-view mirror watching out for guess what... that red speeding car! The more we tell our brain "Don't do that!", the more we think about that exactly.

Start changing your language and watch your life change with it. Here are a few examples to practice positive language in everyday conversations:

1. Don't stay up too late. -> Sleep earlier so your body will be healthier.

Instead of stating the problem, focus on providing solutions. Tell the person what you would have them rather do and focus on the positive outcome that you want to see. It would also help to state a benefit of heeding your suggestion.

2. I'm sorry for bothering you with my problems. -> Thank you for understanding me.

Saying thank you instead of sorry presupposes that the person is understanding your situation. It puts the other person in a more positive state by subtly appreciating their presence and empathy.

3. You're a failure! -> Here's how we can do things better next time..

At best, any words that would follow your insult would fall on deaf ears. At worst, consider your relationship broken. Nobody likes to be told that they're wrong, and reprimanding would barely help a person get better. Again, focus on solutions instead of insults.

Don't forget to talk positive to yourself too, okay?

#100DaysofTakeaways #Day21