Self Talk

"I'm a devout believer that paying attention to our self-talk is vitally important for our mental health.  In my opinion, making the decision that internal verbal abuse is not acceptable behavior is the first step toward finding deep inner peace.  It has been extremely empowering for me to realize that the negative storyteller portion of my brain is only about the size of a peanut!"  Jill Bolte Taylor, "My Stroke of Insight", p. 161.

As I have visited with people over the years I sometimes get to hear, or get glimpses of, their self-talk.  I agree with Dr. Bolte Taylor about the importance of the way we talk to ourselves.  Usually it is just a muttering to ourselves (often over and over and over) and not a conscious thing.   "I'm so bad", "They can't do that to me" and "I'm unworthy" along with "I deserve to feel bad", "I've been bad" and "I'll get him/her/them" are common themes in people's self-talk.

Occasionally I get a glimpse of "I'm O.K.", or "I will do better", or even "I'm in this for the long haul." These latter three are much more empowering that most.

What messages to you tell yourself emotionally, over and over again?  What stories do you replay?  How might you change the inner self to permit growth and joy?

Don't share these with us, but leave a comment sharing your insights into ways self-talk can be useful.