Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones, But Your Words Can Surely Hurt Me

Growing up, there was a common jingle among my girlhood friends that might ring a bell for you too:  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” 

Back then, it made perfect sense and even served as a weapon or a coat of armour when someone said something hurtful.  

Today, I have a totally different option on this.

Our words have power.

Their meaning carries with them perceptions that shape our beliefs, drive our behaviors, and even go further:  they create our world. The power of our words arise from the emotional responses they evoke when we read them, speak the out loud, or hear them.

A Case for the Power of Words

When I first began my spiritual journey, my very first mentor shared Dr. Emoto’s famous rice experiment which is known for testing the power of the spoken word.  It went like this:

  • 2 cups of cooked white rice were placed in 2 separate mason jars
  • Lids were affixed
  • 1 jar was labelled “Thank You” and the other, “You Fool.”
  • The jars were placed in an elementary school classroom
  • Twice a day the students were instructed to speak the words on the labels to the corresponding jars.

Results following 30 days:

  1. The rice in the jar that was constantly insulted had shriveled into a black, gelatinous mass.
  2. The rice in the jar that experienced the polite words of ‘Thanks’, was as white and fluffy as the day it was made.

I encourage you to pick up Dr. Emoto’s books for further detailed examples of the incredible power of words.

We may not always notice it, but the words we say, and the thoughts we think, have a powerful influence on us. They can affect our mood, how we treat others, and how our day goes – whether it’s for the better, or for the worse. 

And here’s the best part:  you have complete control over the words you choose.  

Here’s how to up-level your life simply by choosing to up-level your words.

Tip #1 – Choose Your Words Wisely – and bring more positivity into your life

It turns out that the Universe is always listening and mirroring the energy of your words and even your thoughts back to you.

Have you ever said “I can’t believe it” when you experience something wonderful? 

If you have (and I’m guilty too) that statement actually cancels the gift that you’ve just received. If you say it and believe it enough, your thoughts and feelings have the power to send that gift straight back to the Universe just as quickly as it came.

Start to be aware of what you’re saying out loud.  I’ll bet you’ll be amazed at how many times in a day you catch yourself thinking something negative or worse still, muttering it under your breath or complaining about something to your friend, sister or mother.

What we speak about, we bring about.  So if you want to create more positivity into your life – speak more about positive things, say more positive words – and STOP complaining about every little thing that goes wrong – because that’s a sure-fire way to bring about more of the results we don’t want to see.

Tip #2 – Avoid Overdramatic Language or Negative Pessimism for your health

Yep,  I did say that above – and here’s what I mean.  Anytime we say phrases like:

  • She’s such a pain in the neck or
  • That’s horrific
  • My back’s killing me
  • I’m so pissed off right now
  • I almost just had a heart-attack!

We’re actually calling in those results. 

Even when we talk this way in jest or use this type of language as an exaggeration, we’re lowering our vibration and sending powerful language out into the Universe, attracting drama, negativity and even the very scenarios we would never want to create. 

  • Do you want to have a heart-attack?
  • Do you like being pissed off?
  • Do you really want horror in your life?
  • Do you want your back to literally kill you?

And here’s where it gets physiological: 

When you say or think words that make you feel panicked, your body releases stress hormones that affect your digestion, your heart-rate, your muscles and your immunity.

You’ll actually trigger fight or flight response – With Your Words which can contribute to anxiety, panic attacks, depression and exhaustion.

Your body has an incredible, innate ability to heal itself and you have the ability to support that healing process with peaceful, calm thoughts and expressions – WITH the words you think and speak about your body and your experience of life.

Your Turn

I invite you to try it out.   You’ll be amazed at how this simple exercise illustrates the effect of even the tiniest words.  See how profoundly influential these ones are to our immediate state of being.

  1. Have someone say “no” to you emphatically ten times in a row.  Notice the effect it has on you.
  2. Follow this by having someone say the word “yes.”  How much different do you feel now?

“Yes” opens doors to communication with others and allows good feelings to flow through your body. 


But there’s also a caveat.  Since negative words trigger our survival instincts, we’re biased toward the negative ones.   Negative statements are emblazoned in our memory more easily and profoundly than positive statements.

Positive words need to be consciously repeated at a ratio of about five to one, positive to negative, in order to have the same influence.

Tip #3 – Shift to a Place of Gratitude

Whenever you’re in a state where you’re feeling uncertainty or fear or if you feel a need to correct a mistaken thought, try saying out loud one of these 2 powerful statement:

  • All is Well, I am safe
  • Right here and now I am okay

Alternatively, think of a few things you’re grateful for.

Practicing these strategies will raise your vibration immediately, change your ‘state of being’ and prevent negativity from interfering.

You have immense power within you JUST by harnessing the power of the words you choose to say to yourself and to others.

Remember: the words you speak and the thoughts you think are creating your reality – IN real time.

Try this to see how your words can change your life – for the better

  1. Put positive affirmations on sticky notes around your home and office that say wonderful things about you, your family, or your goals.
  2. Wear clothes that have positive messages or phrases on them.

Imagine the kind of positive energy you’ll be generating for yourself when you’re wearing positivity all day long.

As you keep doing these little things, you use the power of repetition in a highly effective way for your very own benefit.

You have the power to change your world, and using words consciously is one of the quickest ways to shift the energy you bring into your life and create a larger, positive shift in your energy, your overall attitude, and your mental health will get a boost too.

Moral of the Story

When something good happens just say “thank you!” or “I believe it!”

You are supported by a loving Universe and guided by Angels. Your Angels are here to help you, all you need to do is ask and with that, I have a gift for you.

My Gift For You

If you’d like some help creating more positivity in your life with the power of your words, or applying this success principle to make a powerful difference for you, I’d be delighted to chat. 

Contact me privately for an Angel Guidance Clarity Call.

Together, we’ll chat about what you’re challenged with right now and what you’d like to create for yourself.  By the end of our call, you’ll have

  1. A Crystal Clear path forward
  2. A Simple Action Plan to put some strategies into place so you can move forward confidently
  3. Some tools and resources to help you on your way

This is a complementary and private session and there’s no obligation for us to work together following the call.  

To schedule your Angel Guidance Clarity Session, send an email to Yvonne@thereisanangelforthat.com

About The Author

Yvonne Cote, is an Angel Medium and Spiritual Mentor based in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Following a near-death experience, she felt called to work with Angels and has studied under renowned spiritual mentors to hone her talents. She holds certifications as an Angel Practitioner and Guide, a Moonologist, Numerologist, and Colour Intuitive.  She’s also a Reiki Master and a Crystal Healer.

She shares her passion for Angels and their powers of healing, protecting, and guiding through private consultation and specializes in helping people seeking clarity and alignment with their life purpose.

She’s also the host of ‘Angels & Intuition,’ a private Facebook Community for those interested in healing energy work, connecting more deeply with their inner voice and intuition, and learning about what their Angels have to share.  She’d be delighted for you to join her there:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/angelsandintuitionwithyvonne

For more information about her services or how to work with her privately, visit Yvonne’s website:  https://thereisanangelforthat.com/

Spread the love