The Power of Words
"The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak. " ~Author Unknown
I'm subbing in 2nd grade this week and I've been having fun with my classroom management techniques. For every section of the day I challenge the students to form their behavior in a way they would like it to be explained. At the end of each activity, I come up with as large of an adjective explaining their behavior as I possibly can. I reminded them that there are adjectives that explain bad behavior too and then I threw out words like Horrific and Preposterous. Immediately their faces turned to frowns. The class has enjoyed this game, reminding me when it is the end of an activity and the deadline for their next word. I have been pushed to my limit of positive adjectives explaining a groups behavior. It has been glorious! Yesterday, in just seven hours, I enjoyed a class full of Amazing, Beautiful, Cool, Dynamic, Energetic, Fabulous, Glorious, Harmonious, Incredible, Jolly, Kind, Lovely, and Marvelous children. Today we will do the same, picking up with O....
My husband will tell you that I'm a cup half full kind of girl. I was born an optimist and an optimist I will die, that I am sure of. I believe in the power of our words. Words are a window to our hearts and it seems that the energy that flows through that window goes both ways. If I say something negative it means that I'm hearing something negative and the next thing I feel is negative. I was trying to cross over a busy 5 lane road the other day and it looked futile. I blurted out, "I'm never going to get across this road!". If I were alone, that would have been the start of a negative tirade. I wasn't alone. I was with my husband who counts on me to be an optimist and he was shocked. Whatever he said to me next made me laugh, I think he did one of those funny voices and said something like, "Oh no you didn't just say that!"
People react the same way to the words we say. Young and old alike, rise or fall to the words we use. My friends in Germany used to pick on me because I used the word Incredible so much. I didn't realize that I did this. As I began speaking to military wives, the word Incredible came naturally. I could spend my time talking to wives about how hard this life can be or I could spend my time telling them how incredibly made they are to be able to triumph under such adverse circumstances. These encouraging words would make way for positive attitudes which brought on more empowering words. I enjoyed those days with those incredible women.
The choice of words is a powerful one. Just as important as what we put into our body for nourishment. Chose to say words that you know you will love to hear. After all, you are the first one to hear them. As for me, I'm on my way to an Outrageously Outstanding day.......
I'm subbing in 2nd grade this week and I've been having fun with my classroom management techniques. For every section of the day I challenge the students to form their behavior in a way they would like it to be explained. At the end of each activity, I come up with as large of an adjective explaining their behavior as I possibly can. I reminded them that there are adjectives that explain bad behavior too and then I threw out words like Horrific and Preposterous. Immediately their faces turned to frowns. The class has enjoyed this game, reminding me when it is the end of an activity and the deadline for their next word. I have been pushed to my limit of positive adjectives explaining a groups behavior. It has been glorious! Yesterday, in just seven hours, I enjoyed a class full of Amazing, Beautiful, Cool, Dynamic, Energetic, Fabulous, Glorious, Harmonious, Incredible, Jolly, Kind, Lovely, and Marvelous children. Today we will do the same, picking up with O....
My husband will tell you that I'm a cup half full kind of girl. I was born an optimist and an optimist I will die, that I am sure of. I believe in the power of our words. Words are a window to our hearts and it seems that the energy that flows through that window goes both ways. If I say something negative it means that I'm hearing something negative and the next thing I feel is negative. I was trying to cross over a busy 5 lane road the other day and it looked futile. I blurted out, "I'm never going to get across this road!". If I were alone, that would have been the start of a negative tirade. I wasn't alone. I was with my husband who counts on me to be an optimist and he was shocked. Whatever he said to me next made me laugh, I think he did one of those funny voices and said something like, "Oh no you didn't just say that!"
People react the same way to the words we say. Young and old alike, rise or fall to the words we use. My friends in Germany used to pick on me because I used the word Incredible so much. I didn't realize that I did this. As I began speaking to military wives, the word Incredible came naturally. I could spend my time talking to wives about how hard this life can be or I could spend my time telling them how incredibly made they are to be able to triumph under such adverse circumstances. These encouraging words would make way for positive attitudes which brought on more empowering words. I enjoyed those days with those incredible women.
The choice of words is a powerful one. Just as important as what we put into our body for nourishment. Chose to say words that you know you will love to hear. After all, you are the first one to hear them. As for me, I'm on my way to an Outrageously Outstanding day.......
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