Warning! Dangerous Power Zapping Words

I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon happening lately, and I’m wondering if we’ve got another epidemic, similar to the “I’m so busy” epidemic, on our hands?  This one goes by the name of, “Oh, you just wait”.

Over the last few weeks this has been happening more and more.  I’ll be chatting with a woman, catching up on what’s going on in our lives.  Unfortunately, the conversation begins to go as so many others do, and she’ll start talking about her troubles.  She laments about her achy hip, her crazy schedule of running her kids here and there, her husband that golfs too much, or her failing memory. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first one there for a friend in need, but when the same old story keep repeating itself, that’s when I know the real source of the problem.  And it’s bad enough to have to listen to the same victim story over and over again, but just recently I’ve noticed a new twist; the conversation concludes in a way that I find completely unacceptable. 

As their story comes to an end, they wrap it up with the words, “Oh, you just wait,” as if to imply that all their problems will soon be mine as I get older, as I am married longer, as my kids become teenagers.

The first time it happened I barely noticed those words, the next time I felt a subtle twinge in my gut, by the fourth or fifth time I knew we had a dangerous trend gaining popularity...some real personal-power zapping words!  I think this is ruffling my feathers for two reasons.  First, these women are giving away their power to make a change, believing that their current situation is just their luck and in no way a representation of past choices.  And second, they are attempting to taking away the power of another (i.e. mine); trying to persuade another to believe that they can’t have a different outcome for their life. 

They say, “Misery loves company,” and maybe that’s what’s at the core of this issue.  I would like your opinion...Have you been noticing the “Oh, you just wait...” epidemic spreading among the women you know?  How do you feel about what those words imply for your life?  Do you choose to ignore the phrase, or do you choose to respond, and how do you do so in an empowering way?  Please leave your comments and at the very least, consider yourself warned of these seemingly harmless, yet dangerous words, lurking among us.

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
"Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself." ~Harvey S. Firestone

The Power of Words

My sisters and I, along with long-time Soulspring member LuAnn Myers, just couldn’t pass up the opportunity yesterday morning to cheer on the amazing women and men who have committed themselves to walking in the 2010 Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day. This walk is a 3 day, 60 mile – yes, I said 60 miles – walk to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. I’ve always wanted to experience every aspect of the walk; walk, cheer, crew. Having participated two previous years as a walker, this was my year to cheer (maybe next year will be my year to crew?).

It really is true what they say; once you experience any aspect of this walk you are immediately addicted to the contagious energy! The morning was incredible, watching all 2400 walkers march before us as we held our “Words of Encouragement”. Our “Words of Encouragement” have put on a lot of miles in their own right. They accompany us to many Soulspring Groups events and there’s something about them that draw people in (local press and KARE 11’s own Lee Valsvik among them! See the video here!).

Inspire…Belief…Power…Passion. These were the words the walkers saw as they traveled along their day 2 route. Almost immediately women began pointing, smiling, asking us to pose with our “words” for scrapbook photos, some even shed a tear. Whatever the reaction though it was clear that these words meant something to each of them, spurring them on to reach their final destination.

Isn’t the power of a simple, lone word amazing? Straight and to the point, and most importantly open to individual interpretation; defined by happy moments, tragedy, experience, and the overall journey of life.

Thank you to all the walkers participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day this year! We’ve got a “word” for you…AMAZING! That’s the best way we can describe your hard work and endurance as you create awareness and put names and faces to this disease. Never doubt that you are changing the world!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~Mother Theresa