We have all heard and probably recited the nursery rhyme “sticks and stones can break my bones…” You know the rest: “But words can never hurt me.” If only it were true. The fact is that words do hurt. Unlike a bruise or broken bone, we can’t see the wound on the outside. Most of us can recall instances from our own lives when words cut deeply, causing wounds that may still hurt. Since these wounds are not visible to others, we go through life exhibiting behaviors that come from how we deal with these old hurts. If we try to bury the wound rather than learn from it, we not only prevent healing but we are likely to inflict pain on others.
10 Steps to Healing Word Wounds
How do we begin to mend the wound we have received from the words of others?
- Become mindful of the words we use and recognize how our own use of language associates words with feelings, responses and outcomes. Here are a few examples: I am heartbroken; I have a gut feeling; This job is killing me; That person makes me sick; What a pain in the neck. These words and the feelings associated with them can actually lead to ill health. A classic example is the woman suffering from rectal cancer who had always referred to her husband as a “pain in the ass.” Are you using your own words against yourself?
- Try to identify situations in your own life where words have elicited pain. Some examples might be: You will never amount to anything; Why can’t you be more (fill in the blank) like your brother/sister?; You will never be the man your father was; You are so (lazy, stupid, fat, irresponsible, etc). What kind of feeling or behavior did that evoke for you?
- Notice if you have in the past or are currently using language that may be inflicting pain to someone else. Often we may not even recognize the things that have hurt us in the past or that we may be repeating words from our own past.
- Begin to heal your wounds by recognizing the fact that the person speaking them was probably speaking from their own pain and directing it outwardly at you and probably others as well.
- Practice physically releasing the pain inside of you by practicing mindful breathing: On your inhale, identify the phrase or the feeling that may have hurt you, then imagine releasing the words and the pain with each deep exhale. The inhale serves to gather up the old vestiges of the pain while the exhale allows you to visualize it physically leaving your body.
- Develop affirmations that refute the words that were aimed at you such as: “I am productive and confident”, “I am successful”, “I am loved”, “I am worthy.” Write your affirmations down and keep them close to you; in your pocket, at your desk or on your nightstand. Often just touching the piece of paper in your pocket will serve as a reminder, but seeing them, and reading them aloud provides additional benefit when you feel that old feeling or behavior creeping back.
- Be mindful of the words you choose, both toward yourself and others.
- Make an effort to speak from a positive viewpoint, without judgment.
- Do your best to speak from a place of love, kindness and compassion.
- Be gentle with yourself. You may be dealing with a very deep wound. Healing can happen. You have my word.
About the Author
Dr. Mary Jayne Rogers is an Exercise Physiologist specializing in whole-person wellness and fitness education and instruction. As an educator, Mary Jayne brings multi-dimensional wellness and fitness experiences along with a welcoming and genuine teaching style to inspire students and wellness enthusiasts of all ages. Dr. Rogers is the owner of Profound Wellness LLC. www.doctormaryjayne.com
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I wanted to write a little
comment to support you.
I know this web page presents quality depending articles or reviews and additional material, is there any other web
page which presents such stuff in quality?
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted at
this web site is really pleasant.
Quality articles or reviews is the important to attract the
visitors to pay a quick visit the website, that’s what this site is providing.
Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this web site,
and post is in fact fruitful in support of me, keep up posting
these content.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but before ending
I am reading this impressive piece of writing to increase my knowledge.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the other person’s weblog link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally
I have found something which helped me. Cheers!
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very
techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you
You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along
with your views on this website.
Nice replies in return of this difficulty with real arguments and telling all on the
topic of that.
brand name viagra [url=https://viagenupi.com/#]viagra suppliers[/url]
viagra pharmacy viagra suppliers canadian pharmacy viagra https://viagenupi.com/
hydroxychloroquine otc https://hydroxychloroquine1st.com/
hydroxychloroquine prescription https://azhydroxychloroquine.com/
Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
cephalexin 500mg https://keflex.webbfenix.com/
bimatoprost for eyelash growth https://www.jueriy.com/
cialis 20 mg price https://www.wisig.org/
This article will help the internet visitors for building up new webpage or
even a blog from start to end.
viagra online us pharmacy https://viatribuy.com/
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web site, for the reason that
i wish for enjoyment, since this this web page conations in fact nice funny
data too.
We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with useful information to work on. You’ve performed a formidable task and our entire group shall be thankful to you.
I have fun with, lead to I found exactly what I
used to be having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day long
hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge on the topic of unpredicted
emotions. adreamoftrains web hosting providers
Hello! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info you
have got here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more
soon.
hydroxychloroquine brand name https://webbfenix.com/
cialis 2020 http://cialisoni.com/
antibiotics for dogs without vet prescription https://amoxycillin1st.com/