Self Talk

Back to School Series

Talk to yourself

Okay, very few will really admit that they talk to themselves - either openly - or internally.

We can be positive - or negative in our self talk.  I know I’ve had days when things don’t work well and I’m thinking (and saying to myself), “Boy was that stupid, Karen”; “You didn’t handle that well”.  

Psychology talks about “a self-fulfilled prophecy”.  When we talk to ourselves, we are putting powerful thoughts in our brains.  Matthew 12:36 says “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” 

Go around speaking good things.  “I can do this” is a positive concept.  “This is going to be great”. “My class this fall is going to be awesome”.  

My brain (and your brain) are like sponges.  They soak up what goes into them. It I’m pumping bad ideas into my brain, it soaks it up and says “You are worthless”; “You have no value”.

Or, I can talk to myself and pump good thoughts and good ideas into my brain.  “Life is good”; “I’m doing great”; “I am strong”; “I am healthy”; “I am financially well off”; “I can do this”.  

I don’t sing one of the Beatles songs (not that I don’t like the Beatles, but I just can’t sing “I’m a loser” - mostly because I am not a loser. I am a winner!!!  WOOOO!!!

Don’t talk yourself down - talk yourself up.  In Genesis, man is created in the “image and likeness” of God.  Hey, God (indirectly) made me - I am NOT junk, I am a valuable part of humanity.  

I also say positive things to others as well (like encouragement):

Proverbs 18:22 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

Proverbs 16:24 - Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:37 - For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Colossians 3:8 - But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Speak to yourself in glowing terms, be your best cheerleader!!!  Plus be a cheerleader for others. Let your tongue be a positive part of your life!!!

Like with your SMART goals, get going on SMART talking to yourself - tell yourself that you WILL accomplish your goals, you WILL WIN!!!

Are you positive - or negative?

Stay positive

A story I’ve told before.  In my first year of teaching high school math, I had a preparation period.  There was a teacher’s lounge and I went in a few times - to get a cup of coffee, to relax, to get to know the other teachers, but early on, I realized that it was a gossip pit, a negative place (plus - at that time [1969] you could smoke in the teacher’s lounge and I didn’t like it.  I went into the teacher’s lounge to get a cup of coffee and get out again.  

The human part of me wants to hear the gossip, to know the dirt (and sometimes to spread the dirt to others).  That is not who I am!!!  

Ephesians 5:19 says “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,”

And … most importantly - speaking positive things to yourself!!!

Karen