For the past twenty years I’ve been teaching and coaching people in ‘speaking from the heart’; intimacy, connection, and public speaking-all levels of communication.
Something that continues to amaze me is the power of the word. We live in a sea of language- spoken and written words, all day long; but we don’t always realize their power to affect us. The truth is, words have far more power to hurt us than sticks and stones do, and far more power to lift us up as well.

Take some time in the next few days and just check it out. Notice the words that people use, and how they affect you. Notice that others are not affected by the same words in the same way. Which words can you think of that empower you, free you, inspire you, tickle you? Which words seem dead, dull, meaningless. Which words shut you down?

Try speaking in your next few conversations with more awareness. Be clear about your intention, and chose the words that you use to line up with your intention.

What if you knew that your words had the power to impact the mind of each being you meet, for better or for worse? How would you speak then?

Can you remember a conversation you had with someone that really helped or encouraged you? How did that happen?