Ever catch yourself saying something and instantly thinking, “Well… that came out wrong”? Yeah, me too. Sometimes my words skip the quality-control checkpoint before leaving my mouth.
Lately I’ve been realizing just how much power our words actually have. They can calm a storm or stir one up. They can build someone up—or quietly chip away at them. And listen up, because this part is important: it’s not just about what we say to other people. It’s about what we say to ourselves, too.
Words That Build or Break: The Power of Speech
I came across a line in a prayer that said, “Your Word is the wellspring of life, and from it, I draw my inspiration to speak.”
That hit me. Because if God’s words bring life, then ours—created in His image and inspired by our relationship with Him—carry a little bit of that same power. When we speak life, we plant peace and hope. When we don’t, well… those words can stick around in ways we never intended.
I’ve definitely had my share of “I wish I could unsend that” moments. So now I'm trying to take a breath first and ask, “Am I adding light here, or just more noise?”
Why Positive Self-Talk Matters
Here’s the kicker: the person I talk to most isn’t my family or friends—it’s me.
And I’m not always the kindest conversational partner for myself. I’ll replay mistakes, beat myself up for not doing enough, or cringe at something I said three days ago. Or three decades ago... seems like there's no statute of limitations on self-criticism.
But I’m learning that positive self-talk isn’t some fluffy self-help idea. It’s an act of faith. Because if I wouldn’t speak harshly to someone I love, why am I doing it to myself?
“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:45
That verse reminds me that what’s filling my heart will eventually spill out—both in my words to others and the ones I whisper to myself. When I fill my heart and thoughts with truth and grace instead of guilt or criticism, my tone softens automatically.
Simple Ways to Practice Speaking Life Every Day
This isn’t about pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. It’s about choosing words—spoken and unspoken—that make space for healing and peace.
A few things that help me:
• Catch myself mid-thought. When that critical inner voice kicks in, I try to rephrase it with a little more compassion.
• Take a pause. One deep breath before responding can turn a sharp reply into a calm one. (Most days, anyway.)
• Ask for help. A quick “Lord, help me use my words well,” goes a long way. (I need a little sign that says this!)
• Speak gratitude out loud. Saying thank-you—to God or someone else—changes my whole outlook.
It’s amazing how much lighter life feels when we make a habit of speaking life—out loud and in our thoughts.
A Final Thought
Your words don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
They just have to come from a place of love.
And that includes the ones you say to yourself. So speak life—you deserve to hear it, too.
Maybe this week, pick one place to speak a little more gently—whether that’s with your spouse, your coworker, or that inner critic of yours. You might be surprised how much peace it adds.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
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This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.
Have a question or something to share?
✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
