Sticks and Stones

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. This was a common saying I’m sure you’ve all heard at one time or another. I remember using it on the playground, as a child, to defend myself against the slanderous words of my fellow munchkin folk. Fast forward 20+ years later, I now know that the words we both hear and say on a regular basis can, and do, have a profound effect on our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

I especially want to focus on the words we say to ourselves because this is all we really have control over. Our repetitive thoughts, and the feeling associated with these thoughts, create neurological pathways in our mind that literally compound and expand our capacity to think those same thoughts again and again. This would be awesome if we were thinking only positive and cheerful thoughts and ideas. However, for human beings, controlling our thoughts is just not that simple. Living among inevitable daily adversities, the quality of our thought patterns is constantly challenged.

I feel that the best way to improve our thinking patterns and quality of life is meditation. Meditation is essentially life practice. We must practice thinking positive words, practice being calm, and practice feeling love from deep within. It is normal to feel inpatient with “getting good at meditation,” but I promise that taking the time on a daily basis to mediate regardless of how “well” you think your doing will create positive changes in your life. This is simply because you will be creating positive neurological pathways in your mind that will grow and expand your capacity to think like and inevitably be the person you want to be.

So let’s all practice thinking love and being love and add a prayer for healthy bones while we’re at it. No harm in being thorough!