The Energy Of Words
Written by
Heidi White
Words are symbols and symbols have energy.
As a writer, I’ve always been aware of the power of the word but only recently have I begun to think more deeply into their true energetic force. I’ve always understood their capacity to educate, entertain, change minds, and inspire, but I was looking at them through the lens of meaning. There is more to a word than its meaning. Because a word is a symbol, it is attached to imagery and, whether spoken or not, words have a vibrational resonance. They are like little energetic entities that affect us on levels far beyond the reaches of what our minds can comprehend. They shift in meaning and increase in power as people interact with them.
Trying words on for size
I’m a long-distance runner, so I spend a lot of hours on the road and I have found it’s a good time to practice staying present (a.k.a. mindful awareness). As I was running about a year ago, I decided to use finger tapping to keep myself present. I started to tap the tips of my fingers with my thumb, touching my forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky finger in succession. I’d start with my right hand, tapping one finger per breath (a full round of in and out breath), then would move to the left hand and tap each finger on that hand with each breath.
The tapping of my fingers allowed me to remain present by giving me something to focus on and once I had tapped all eight fingers, I brought full awareness to my body by saying the words, “Darling, I am here for you.” These are words that Thich Nhat Hanh encouraged people to say to those they love. I was going through a difficult time, facing a lot of change and uncertainty and they were words I desperately needed to hear, to assure myself that I was safe and supported.
“Darling, I am here for you,” I said to myself, feeling the warm energy of the sentence conjure my wise inner Self. From a space of insecurity and fear, those words brought me into full presence for myself. I found that the more times I repeated it over the course of my run, the more grounded and solid I felt. Painful feelings came up—sadness, fear, and anger, but I kept coming back to my breath, to the tapping of my fingers, and to myself. “Darling, I am here for you.” The words evoked an image of my higher Self caring for my scared internal child and made me feel as though I was surrounded by love.
A little while later, I wanted to try some other words, so I remained with Thich Nhat Hanh but chose different words I had heard him say: “I have arrived.” These are words he used to bring himself into his body and into present time and space. Again, I was running when I decided to try these words, thinking they would feel the same as his “Darling” words. I had the same goal, I thought. I wanted to bring myself into my body so I could be completely present for myself.
The words are different, though. Their energy is not the same. Darling, I am here for you is a loving, soft energy that made me feel supported and loved. They are said by a loved one to a loved one. “I have arrived” is much more physical and when I said the words, I felt the difference immediately in my body. Rather than calling in a protective presence, I was asserting my own and I could feel the energy of strength and autonomy rise up through my body, becoming an immediate physical reality.
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Words create reality
My running example is one small scenario where I used words mindfully to create the reality I needed in the moment. Words are a constant part of our reality, though. We are steeped in them from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep. For some of us, words follow us into our dreams. So imagine what a difference you could create in your life if you chose, very carefully, the words you allowed to flow through your mind.
Every word is powerful and exerts an energetic force on your thoughts, your present experience, and your future potential. But how much do you think about the power of those words? How much control do you exert over them to make sure they are pushing you in a direction you want to move in?
Are you listening to angry music when what you really want is to be happy? Are you reading screen after screen of fear-inducing news while wishing for a peaceful future for yourself and your children? Are you allowing your brain to replay an old fight with a friend while craving a connection with them?
You can take control over what you think and what your life looks like. It takes some time and attention, but it is possible. The most effective way I know of controlling the mind and thoughts (a.k.a. words) is meditation, but meditation is not necessary. Simply pay attention to what you are saying aloud and inside your head. Think about the words you surround yourself with (music, news, friends). The more you pay attention, the more you’ll notice how their energy is affecting your day.
You will notice that it doesn’t feel great to be around people who complain a lot, just like it doesn’t feel great to be in your own head when it’s on a rant. When you aren’t feeling good and are struggling with something, you may be able to trace your feelings back to a conversation you had, a show you watched, or thoughts you were thinking.
The more you notice, the more you can take control. If you notice your mind complaining, stop your thoughts mid-sentence and choose to think something else. When you find yourself in a situation where someone is unleashing their anger on you, you can walk away and give them time to calm down. If you’re addicted to news that causes you anxiety, you can stop reading or watching it or limit your engagement with it.
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Change takes time
Controlling your words may take time and practice, but it is an important skill to learn. Just think what your life would be like if the words in your head vibrated with love and compassion for you and for others? Imagine how your relationships would change if you dropped judgment and started speaking words that built people up? Would your day be a little better if you started it off reading something uplifting rather than wallowing in headlines?
You don’t have to give up all your thought patterns and become a different person. Just pay attention. Notice. Listen. Feel. Respect the power of words in your life and be selective about which ones you bring into your life.
Heidi White | Transformational Coach 