As the new year continues email accounts, facebook pages, and television advertisements explode with commercials about New Year’s resolutions, and new fad diets. It is easy to see why when so many people yearn for a younger, healthier, and more slim figure. As the focus is increased about what is put into the body, it is easy for it to become an obsession. While it is extremely well and good to care about what it is that you take into your body, it is even more imperative to consider what it is that comes out of our mouths on a daily basis. So many times hurtful words will come out of our mouths out of anger, and frustration, especially on those whom we love and count most dear. These words can never be taken back, and so it is so important to make sure that the words that we say to others build them up, instead of taking them down. Matthew 15:10 states that “not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man…” As a mother, especially, sometimes hurtful words will come from the mouth in a time of anger. These words rain down on a young, impressionable child, and they can not be taken back. Use your words more for encouragement, affirmation, love, and for departing wisdom to your children. If you are like me, and these words do not always come naturally, then you may want to tape sayings around your house, or put them near your bed to read at night, or put them into your phone. I encourage you to do what you need to do in order to pour words of support instead of words of judgment out on your children, your husband, and anyone else that you share this world with. These words can be used to affirm who they are, what they are doing, what they have done, or even the effort that they are using in order to work on something. This not only shows them that they are important, but that their importance does not just hinge on if they are successful at what it is that they do.
Ideas of what to say to affirm others:
I enjoy you.
You have been working really hard at…
I think about you all of the time when I am not with you.
You are my sunshine.
I love when you smile.
It must feel so good, to work this hard at something, and to see….
You’ve got this.
I believe in you.
Don’t forget in the power of these special three words: “I love you!”
I told (name) how proud I am of you today.
I am proud of how you handled…
Thank you for everything you do.
You make my day brighter.
I am so grateful for you!
God has your back, and so do I.
The world is better with you in it.
Speaking words to others not only helps them, but it also can benefit you. The more positivity you speak, the more that you will feel.
