Powerful Words
Out with the adage that sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you. That is BS and we know it! Whether for good or evil…WORDS can literally help or hurt your brain. Yep. I said literally.Truth.Have you heard the rags-to-riches story about how Joey’s 5th-grade teacher said 4 words to him that changed him from a disrespectful, unkempt, angry boy to her favorite and most motivated of all students? How did hearing four little words change this young man’s trajectory from sullen and angry to success? According to Andrew Newberg, M.D., and Mark Robert Waldman, (both neuroscientists) in their best-selling book, Words Can Change Your Brain, Words are SO powerful they change the way our brain perceives OURSELVES!
Another reason to say nice things to say to yourself.
WORDS CHANGE THE WAY WE ACT AND THEY CHANGE THE WAY WE FEEL
Certain words fire off neurons in the listener’s brain that cause the listener’s brain to grow (or shrink) in the prefrontal cortex. You see, Joey was a good kid but his father was an alcoholic and his mother did everything for him before she developed cancer and became so sick she couldn’t take care of Joey and his little brother. His mom died a year later when Joey was only 8 years old. Joey resented taking care of his little brother and stopped caring about school. His grades dropped and he had no friends. His teacher wasn’t particularly fond of him.
But then she read his school file and understood. She found out he was a bright, engaging, and sweet boy but his mother’s death had taken a dark toll on his spirit. The next day she took Joey aside and said, “I believe in you.” I believe in you are the most beautiful words you can say to someone.
How often do you say them to someone?
Joey went on to do great things in life and it all started with those 4 words. He became a successful medical doctor and married remarkable women. The words I believe in you are so powerful they can transform someone’s life.
Twenty years later he still thanks his 5th-grade teacher.
