Chapter 1: The Journey to Self-Love

Living freely once felt liberating, but I later realized it was more like a personal prison. Over the last ten years, I dedicated myself to overcoming various addictions, pain, and drama. Surprisingly, the simple act of reading proverbs played a crucial role in my recovery. Thankfully, I have been clean for several years now.

One particular proverb profoundly impacted my life: "There are men whose words are as the strokes of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is medicine." — Proverbs 12:18. When I came across this saying, my inner voice communicated a vital truth:

Beware of those who lack substance,

for they will leave you feeling shattered

when you are whole,

and empty even when you are fulfilled,

seeking only to draw your attention,

mislead you, and ultimately drain you of joy.

This is their way of feeling complete,

leaving the rest of us feeling hollow.

This realization led me to a significant conclusion:

Bad company results in negative words, which lead to a poor life.

Conversely, good company fosters positive words, leading to a fulfilling life.

Driven by my desire for a better existence, I became fascinated by the impact of words. Through my research, I discovered the profound insights of Elias Canetti, a celebrated thinker who emphasized the transformative power of language. According to Canetti, language serves as a mask we wear to adopt various identities.

For him, words are not just tools for communication; they are the raw materials that shape our thoughts and allow us to reinvent ourselves. Canetti also observed that while some people wield words to dominate (think of advertising), others use them as a shield against manipulation (like what Mandela may have told himself in prison).

In essence, Canetti believed we could harness language to reshape our lives, becoming someone new and embodying different identities. Thus, I began to monitor the words I encountered, and this practice altered my life significantly.

External words act as the building blocks of your inner world. With them, your mind constructs either prisons or luxurious retreats.

By applying Canetti's insights and changing my surroundings and social circles, I sought to evolve from a caterpillar into a butterfly, using transformative language as my chrysalis.

What do the people you encounter and the environments you inhabit share in common?

Words.

Aha!

The phrases you hear regularly form the soundtrack of your existence. Your mind acts like a sieve; it retains certain phrases, shapes your reality, and discards others.

It's not merely about whether the words are sweet or bitter; it's about choosing words that enhance your return on investment (ROI). I boosted my self-love by wisely allocating my time and measuring the benefits I received.

To do this, I followed a two-part process:

First, I identified the negative phrases I used against myself and avoided places, people, and media that allowed those harmful words to seep into my mind like polluted water.

Second, I immersed myself in new environments, people, and media. I focused on discovering which new phrases positively influenced my life by observing their effects (ROI). I increased my exposure to those uplifting spaces, relationships, and content.

In short, this method was effective.

Takeaway:

The voice you hear constantly is not your true self; rather, it is a powerful instrument that can help you cultivate an identity that enhances both your life and feelings. This voice generates your inner narratives based on the words you encounter most frequently.

If you frequently hear phrases like "you are worthless" or "it's too late to change," your internal voice will craft a narrative akin to a horror film. However, if you intentionally surround yourself with people, environments, and content that offer wise, healing words, your life will improve rapidly. The voice in your head will start using those uplifting words to create both healing for past wounds and the life you truly deserve.

A virtual hug,

AG

Follow me and subscribe to my profile (by clicking the envelope icon) to receive email notifications whenever I post!

Alberto García ??? - Medium

Chapter 2: Harnessing the Wisdom of Language

In this insightful video, Tony Robbins shares transformative strategies on how to reshape your mindset for success and eliminate negativity. Don't miss out on this powerful guidance!