I love the quote by Lisa M. Hayes, ‘Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening.’ Self-talk is so important because what you tell yourself every day will either lift you up or tear you down. Many times we are harder on ourselves than anyone else could ever be. And sometimes, we may be the only one we can depend on in that moment, so we can’t give up on ourselves too.
I try to remember that in every situation I find myself in, self-talk will help me get halfway there - one way or the other. Negative self-talk gets me halfway in the wrong direction. Positive self-talk will get me halfway in the right direction, because my attitude will be good, I will believe, and I will have a goal and a focus. Ann Bradford was very pointed when she said, ‘Tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up.’
I have to tell you that sometimes if I am feeling blue, I get in my car and go through the drive-thru at a certain local establishment. I don’t order food, I simply order a large sweet tea and do so for several reasons.
First, I like sweet tea. Second, the price is right, a drink of any size is only a dollar! Third and most importantly, if I am in need of a smile and an “atta-girl”, I read the screen after ordering my drink and the screen says, “1 L Sweet Tea”. It says my name – L Sweet. Pretty cool huh?
One other thing I do for myself - to remind me that I am important - is to carry a small copy of the Periodic Table of Elements with me.
Why?
Well, because number 71 is Lu (which stands for Lutetium). I tell myself, with a smile, “I am on the Periodic Table. I am a necessary element.”
I know those things are silly, but for me it’s about positive self-talk. We can’t control everything that happens to us or around us but we can definitely control how we deal with and approach situations and how we treat and handle ourselves.
Brene Brown says we should talk to ourselves like we would talk to someone we love. Isn’t it sad that for most of us, complimenting others is very easy, but complimenting ourselves, especially aloud, can be very difficult?
I see myself as a role model, whether I want to be one or not. I am a mom to six wonderful children.
I am an aunt, a teacher and a coach as well. My children, students, players and the young people I come in contact with are not only impressionable, they copy what they see.
Many young people today, think very little of themselves. They feel they are worthless, ugly, fat, stupid, and on and on.
They listen to others who may talk unkindly about them. Social media can be a wonderful tool, but it can also perpetuate negative talk and bullying.
I grew up under the old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I realize this is the response when facing insults, bullying or jabs and jeers.
However, it is much easier said than done, because words can and do hurt. Therefore, especially since we cannot control others, it is super important to teach our children the importance of careful thought.
Whether it be before speaking to others or for self-talk, it is imperative you are positive and kind to everyone, especially to yourself.
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