As a child, hearing the adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” did not ring true for me because harsh, judgmental, critical words did hurt – a lot. Words could bring me to tears, feel like a knife slicing though my skin, and cause pain in a flash. Yes, words can hurt when said with malice, anger, resentment or any number of emotions that we, as human beings, have within us.
Unfortunately, I chose to believe some of those words, and that invited the message(s) to stay with me. Each message I hung on to played a role in forming my beliefs, defining my decision-making process, determining my path of living. The power of those words framed my future because they framed my thoughts. Each time I replayed a particular message in my head, I reinforced the power of the words.
Get ready, because here are some powerful words for you: Let go. If you have messages from your past that are holding you hostage, beliefs that do not serve you well today, then that is my suggestion for releasing the power these words have on you. It may sound simple, which it is, but it may not be easy for you. Let go of the stories, the messages that are holding you back. Acknowledge that what you heard as a child is not what you want to hear today, and literally rewrite the message.
No longer do you need to be tethered to what was because you are not the same person today that you were 5, 10, 25 years ago. Let go of the stories that hold you back. You have gained knowledge, experience and wisdom. By writing a new story for yourself, you will be inviting different words, new ideas and supporting messages into your mind and heart. Embrace the stories that are emotionally supportive of who you want to be rather than who you were. Grasp the messages that reinforce your self-belief, self-worth and self-intelligence. You have a powerful brain – use it!
Writing the new story as we go! Thank you Susan!!
When I was growing up, my mother used to put her face close to my face and sneer at me and tell me that I was nothing and that I will always be nothing. For a very long time, I believed her. Today, I am an author, speaker, life coach and radio show host and now my mother tells me, “I never knew you were so brilliant!”
I was able to let go of the limiting belief that “I was nothing” when I realized that, the words she used to sneer at me came from her limiting beliefs, not mine.
I hope you will take Susan’s words to heart in this blog and give yourself permission to let go of whatever limiting beliefs that may be holding you back from your wonderful “self!”
Nancy Mueller