What is a word you feel that too many people use?
It’s my thought that too many people use the word “should”. I say this from both personal and professional insight. It matters because our language reflects what’s INSIDE our hearts and is always going to flow out of our mouths.
Personally, I used to live by a set of limiting beliefs that was frequently reinforced with judgmental words like “should”. Having the word should in my vocabulary created and supported a consistent narrative of inadequacy and constraint. It was only through significant amounts of inner work and honest conversations with myself AND my therapist that I learned this though. Once I learned it, it became clear that I was dealing with some murky thinking. Why? The truth is that I was taught early on to view myself this way and to handle my thoughts in this critical way. However, since removing the word from my vocabulary, my life has been filled with so much more grace and kindness.
As a nurse practitioner that specializes in trauma recovery and eating disorders, I’ve learned that I wasn’t the only person using this narrative. In fact, many of my patients have experienced life in such a way that their perspective was the same critical manner as mine. What I know is that I’ve been able to share inspiration and hope to them by sharing my experiences to a degree and also pointing out to them their OWN language. I’m usually met with a contemplative look, but they crack up when I tell them,
Since you’re should’ing all over yourself, I guess you won’t mind if others do too?
It is often the beginning of recognizing a need for a change in the narrative to recognize this language we use. I think we use it TOO often. This is why I’ve been committed to helping others increase their emotional intelligence. This is why there is a need for a space like EQWITHLOU.
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