I have always been very passionate about communication. In kindergarten, during the lunchbreak, I used to stand up and talk to the crowd, while the other kids would eat my food. Heck, at one point, I was put in one corner alone, facing away from the other kids, so that I would eat something. Later on, I began interested in how this communication translates into different palpable things. How it shapes the world around us and how it emerges from what we think. The topic of linguistic influence and cognitive autonomy is vast and has endless avenues up for discussion and debate. From the psychological mechanisms underlying self-talk to the socio-cultural dynamics shaping freedom of speech, there is so much to explore and unpack. So buckle up: this is the first of a series of texts that I have in store on communication and thinking!
The Power Of Words
Ever since the beginning of spoken language, people were wise enough to understand that words carry meaning. We have sciences around this: etymology delves into the historical origins and evolution of words, while semantics explores the intricate nuances of meaning within linguistic structures.
Yet, beyond the realms of linguistic analysis lies a deeper understanding of the profound impact that words and their interpretations have on shaping our worldviews and interactions.
It is not the science that I want to talk about here. It is the impact that words and their meaning have in the world that we live in. There is a profound influence of language not only on communication but also on human emotions and behaviors. Words possess an intrinsic power to shape perceptions, attitudes, and even entire social dynamics.
In simpler words, what you say to someone can bring them up or put them down. The words you use and the way in which you use them are going to affect the result tremendously.
Thinking: The Only True Liberty
Now think about the liberty you have to THINK about whatever you want. In many cases, you can even say most of what you think, as long as you don’t do it in a malicious way or try to hurt someone. Some might argue here that freedom of speech is at stake in our society right now. And they might be right, depending on the situation that they refer to. Or you might be a person just like me, who puts filters aside and says things as they are. Even so, you have to be somewhat calibrated. You might consider adjusting some things in your communication if you don’t want to act as the ultimate people repellent.
Nevertheless, you certainly have the liberty to think freely and say in your head things that you wouldn’t dare say out loud. There are no norms around how you should think. Nobody is going to enforce anything like that. Is that a good thing? You bet!
You have the freedom to think the unimaginable. To visualize things that have never existed and even turn them into reality in the material world. We see this all around us! If it exists, it is because someone first thought about it.
Yet, There Is A Caveat…
What happens with everything that you think? We just understood that we are free to think positive thoughts, ideas, concepts. But what happens with everything that you say to yourself? Remember – all words carry meaning. So as in the case of someone else, by the words you say and the way in which you say them, you have tremendous influence on the receiver. In this case, YOU are the receiver. The dialogue you engage in with yourself, often unnoticed or dismissed as trivial, plays a significant role in shaping your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Put simply, you have so much power, that you can bring yourself so high or bury yourself so deep into the frigging ground.
Unfortunately, many of us do the latter… Unconsciously… We never realize that it would be wrong to say something bad to ourselves. In regard to others, we might say: “Oh, I can’t just say it like this. It will be so hurtful.” Yet, we never think in the same way about the most important person in our lives: us.
Keep It Clean
Jim Rohn’s advice on this was to: “Every day, stand guard at the door of your mind.” The sad truth is, sometimes you have to guard yourself from yourself. You have to sanitise your own thoughts and begin to think in a way that will empower you, not that will disempower and discourage you. Positive thinking, corny as it might sound, has a transformative effect in fostering personal growth and resilience.
The concept of ‘mindfulness’ or conscious awareness of your thoughts and emotions is central to this practice, enabling you to cultivate a mindset of optimism and self-belief. When you reframe negative self-talk and limiting beliefs, you can harness that power to overcome obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity. Don’t mistake this for wishful thinking or denying reality. No! You should be aware of your reality and see it as it is. But if you want to change it, remember that change comes from within.
As A Takeaway…
You might want to ask yourself:
“How often do I treat myself so badly and I don’t even realize it? How many times do I hurt myself, maybe without meaning it?”
This introspection will bring your attention to the subtle yet profound impact of your self-talk on your well-being and self-perception.
Remember this:
The giant sleeps within you! But the saboteur is often awake.
Daniel C
Daniel C Coaching 
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