How Words Shape our Reality

In my last blog, I ruminated around possibilities of changing ones life by working with Intentions; in today's post I want to follow this up with how the words we use affect our life experiences.  I point out that all of this has to do with taking responsibility for oneself.  Currently, only a relative few individuals would give credence to the possibility that the words that we use, and those used by others in our hearing, can have an affect on us psychologically, as well as physically, let alone take responsibility for them,  It is believed--we have been conditioned to believe--that words are just words.

This is even more true in our modern world, especially with the younger generation, little thought is given to what comes out of one's  mouth.  If one spends time cruising the videos on YouTube, the debasement of language cannot be missed by any who are of the older generation.  The use of vulgarity and insulting speech is rampant.  Currently,  less and less interpersonal communication is through speech.  It began with the advent of emails; then came Facebook, and the latest--twittering!  It seems the next step in our communication devolution will be grunting; many adults, and, especially, parents might respond that it has already come to that.

It has been said by some spiritual individuals that, "thoughts are things."  As to the inclusion of thoughts in this essay; our thoughts come in the form of words.  And, conversely, as thoughts are words, words are also, "things."  They are not, in any way, inconsequential.  The idea that words spoken or that thoughts can have an affect on reality, has been soundly debunked by all those who have a vested interest in your not knowing that you, personally, have power. It has no place in the world of Scientific Thinking.

No doubt everyone has experienced the power of words to hurt us emotionally, but many would probably discount the idea that they actually have the power to change anything real.  Here we have come back, in the use of the word, "real," to our "reality."  We humans have the ability to shape our own personal reality through our words and thoughts.

Something I read some time ago indicates how this can be accomplished.  This was in a book by Ruth Montgomery, who was primarily known as a political reporter; in her mature years she began to write a number of books dealing with metaphysics. ("Metaphysics" being, essentially, the study of that which is not physical.)  In her earlier years, she was very much a rational/intellectual-type person, but became involved with non-physical reality through experimenting with automatic writing.

In the course of receiving information, and writing books, in this way, she was introduced to the subject of how we can create our own reality, by changing our thoughts.  As our thoughts are as wild beasts, so it is easy to try to escape responsibility for them--they just are.  It was suggested to her that she experiment with the idea of trying to change her reality by changing her thoughts.

She, as a Washington, D.C., political observer and player, had many friends as well as those whom she thought of as having enmity toward her.  One woman, in particular, she considered to be such a person; this woman also felt the same toward her.  Telling no one of her experiment, for the next twenty-four hours she focused on thinking nothing but positive thoughts about this person, and prayed for her well being.  She also, thereafter, refrained from thinking and saying anything negative about her.  The next time these two crossed paths, the other woman came up to her, embraced her, saying how happy she was to see her, etc.  End of enmity.  This was, for Ruth Montgomery, a profound awakening experience, and should be an eye opener for us all.  I read this book, in which this story was contained, many years ago, and have never forgotten its importance.

Worrying is another way we create our reality.  Worrying is thought to be a normal thing to do; especially, if you care about someone.  In addition, many worry excessively about every aspect of their lives.  Worrying is the mind scurrying in circles in a negative spiral--"worrying one's self to death," an interesting saying, is it not?

In our current Social Commons, this idea has been reintroduced as the, "Law of Attraction."  The, "Law of Attraction," is actually a reintroduction of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's ideas put forward in his book, "The Power of Positive Thinking."  (Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, May 14, 1891 - December 23, 1992, was a minister and author, most notably of The Power of Positive Thinking, and a progenitor of the idea of the power of positive thinking--Wikipedia)

It was Emile Coue, who first introduced the phrase: "Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better, to be repeated to oneself every morning and evening. (Emile Coue de Chataigneraie {February 26, 1857 - July 2, 1926} was a French psychologist and pharmacist who introduced a method of psychotherapy and self-improvement based on optimistic autosuggestion--Wikipedia) Having not read Dr. Peale's popular writings, I do not know if he had been exposed to Coue's earlier philosophical work.

Subsequent to Emile Coue and Dr. Peale, Jose Silva appeared on the scene with essentially the same idea. As a young man, Jose Silva developed his ideas independently.  But, he, also, proposed a mantra-like saying of, "Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better and better."  Jose Silva's methods were introduced in the mid-century as, "Silva Mind Control."  Silva Mind Control, while controversial in some quarters, was a major change factor for many individuals; this was brought home to me by having met some of the early followers of this method.  Unfortunately,  they had, over the years, more-or-less forgotten about it, only remembering when reminded.

This idea, now introduced as the, "Law of Attraction," was brought into the Public Commons through the movie/book/video; The Secret.  As indicated, the Secret is clearly a secret "hidden in plain sight."  Those who have been exposed to The Secret, are aware that it showcased a number of current proponents of "The Law of Attraction."  Having personally followed this thread up, as noted, there are a number of additional writers in the same vain about this idea, which can be summed up as, "thoughts are things."

Another important link, in the '60s, was the work of Maxwell Maltz, M.D.,F.I.C.S., who wrote a book called, Psycho-Cybernetics, subtitled, "A New Technique for Using Your Subconscious Power."  (He, subsequently, published the same material under, at least, one other title.)  This book had a powerful influence on my thinking back in my rational/intellectual days.  If you can locate this material, which I am sure you can, I consider that it goes beyond what you will find in, the Secret, , for one, it does a better job of explaining how these ideas can be put to use in ones life. 

Taking responsibility for yourself will not happen unless you accept the possibility that, every day, in every way, you are shaping your reality, for better or worse, through the fact that thoughts/words are things!

With that reminder, I end this blog.

Shirley Gallup