A quick energy check
for days we feel like nobody ever understands us
A few weeks ago I shared a piece about how our tone of voice has such an impact on how we show up in the world. In it, I used an example of the way a friend speaks. In the essay I’m sharing here, part of my Short Summer Snippet Series, the idea hits closer to home because it’s something I’ve always done (you’ll catch what I just did there once you read it!).
How about that Oscar?
The Grouch, I mean. Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street – one of the most famous grumpsters around.
With his notoriously bad outlook Oscar can turn a single moment of frustration into a rant about the entire world.
“Nobody ever understands me?”
Really Oscar? Nobody? Ever?
We can all relate to Oscar because we’ve been him. That’s why we love him so much.
Me? I come from a long line of absolute-talkers, the all-or-nothing crowd who fail to see the grey area in the middle. I think it’s imprinted in my DNA. It’s interesting how contagious our tone of voice and word choice can be, how much they create a noticeable impression. I have to make an effort to catch myself.
Words are important invisible pockets of energy.
Words shape our emotional atmosphere.
Words have power.
Words can affect our well-being, often without our awareness.
When someone (us or them) speaks in bold sweeping statements it creates a kind of background drama we absorb without noticing. Our nervous system doesn’t know it’s exaggerated; it simply reacts to the intensity and absorbs it as truth. Over time the sensationalism of this kind of phrasing subtly shifts our perception and may increase our stress level.
If I had to choose, I’d say the most popular absolutisms (probably not a real word) are ALWAYS, NEVER, EVERYONE, and NOBODY. Perhaps if we hear those words coming out of our mouth, or someone else’s, we could recognize a signal to check ourselves; to ask if this conversation is going anywhere productive (even if it’s a talk we are having with ourselves) and notice what our energy is doing.
As with many things, there is usually a bit of wiggleroom in a statement that contains one of those words, except maybe this one…
May you always stay awesome and never doubt that I am thrilled you are here reading my work!
xoxo Donna
P.S. I would love it if you would hit the heart button.
P.S.S. Are you like me and have to caution yourself against using dramatic words or do you naturally stay away from them? What is your favorite one to throw around?
I do use all of these words so I appreciate the reminder of how powerful they are Thanks Donna I appreciated this post 💗
Well, this one was “Perfectly on time” Donna…😅. My “morning practice” has had me reflecting on my choice to engage or not engage when I find myself in the company of others who are living in the “drama world”. Thanks for the reminder to remain mindful about my own use of “words”. 💕