How Does Your Self Talk Measure Up?

When was the last time you walked past someone and they were talking to themselves? It is a strange sight for sure. This is exactly what I am going to suggest you do! According to the Bible, “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). A new buzz word is affirmation. I want to talk about affirming yourself.

What does it mean to affirm?  Encarta World Dictionary puts it this way: – declare something to be true: to declare positively that something is true – declare support for something: to declare support or admiration for somebody or something – confirm something: to confirm something as binding or valid. How do those definitions make you feel?

Is your self-talk affirming or is it tearing you down? We all have self-talk. My self-talk has been mostly negative through the years. Not early on. If you watch most children they are in love with the world and in love with themselves. They have no inhibitions in communicating how they feel about themselves. When does this stop? When does the negative self-talk start? Was it the first time someone made fun of you?

I used to think everyone else had it together. A few weeks ago I saw an interview with Penelope Cruz. She was very uncomfortable talking about herself. It was obvious she didn’t see herself on the inside as the beautiful woman we all see on the outside. I thought “Wow, if Penelope Cruz doesn’t have an inner confidence, then who does?” Having real confidence doesn’t puff up the ego. I see it is as just a state of “being”. This state is where negative talk has no negative effect and compliments don’t puff up the ego. It is a state of appreciation of the truth.

I have a favorite scripture from the Psalms I learned as a child:
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” Psalm 139:14

If God our creator wrote we are wonderfully made, shouldn’t we think that of ourselves? If you have negative self-talk, you need to make a change. How does one make that change? Replace your negative words with positive words. Write on a big piece of paper and place it on your mirror “I am wonderful, I am worth, I am loved”. It may feel strange at first, but continue the habit and slowly the negative words are replaced with the positive.

One of my favorite self-talk tools is my affirmation cards. They are pretty and the words are true. How can I help other people if I don’t care for myself? That is an easy answer, I can’t! I carry these cards with me and I replace my negative thoughts with positive ones. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! What about you?

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a Christian holistic nurse who provides natural solutions to common health problems. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, enzyme therapy, vision boards, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at www.NurseCoachOnline.com or email her at  joyce@nursecoachonline.com.