Metaphor (noun):
‘a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.’

Whatever you do – avoid using metaphors like these:
“This is doing my head in”
“You make me sick to my stomach”
“I have the world on my shoulders right now”
“I am boiling mad and about to explode”
“I’m constantly swimming upstream”
“I am burnt out”
“I am struggling to keep my head above water”
“I’m having a meltdown”
“I’m trapped”
“I hit a brick wall”
“I’m frying here”

You get the idea and you may be able to add more to this list. What physical manifestations might result from saying things like these to ourselves or others? We shouldn’t be too surprised to experience headache; abdominal pain and discomfort; neck and shoulder pain; fatigue; insomnia; auto-immune disease; depression; arthritis; anxiety; inability to function in life?

If you are familiar with my work you know I’m a big promoter of using positive affirmations daily to improve health and well-being. I’ve written blog posts about the benefits, recorded a video, distribute laminated affirmations to my clients and students, recommend books and resources about the benefits of using them. I now use them every day and my own life experience feels measurably better. A whole lot better! …

Consider positive affirmations as an antidote for negative metaphors or self-talk.

I wish someone had introduced all this to me before I started school. I have no doubt my early life experience would have been greatly enhanced and I would have coped and thrived instead of struggle and suffer as I did for many years. School is a challenging time for many if not most, and I believe we should teach life skills to develop positive health and wellbeing as early as we have the ability to learn and understand. I have advocated that children in particular should be introduced to the power of their mind and the effect on their health and ability to be happy and successful in the world. I invite you to teach and share this with any children near and dear in your life. This will serve them their lifetime.

An affirmation is simply anything we say or think … so we are always affirming something.

The question is … is it positive or negative? Healthy or unhealthy? Are you affirming consciously or unconsciously? Are you aware of how you are feeling physically and emotionally as a result of what you are thinking and verbalizing or is it all running habitually like an automatic program?

Why do I pay so much attention to affirmations nowadays? … For most of my life I had never heard of an affirmation. I had no clue I was using them and often to my detriment. I was both ignorant and unaware. If I had known about them earlier in life I am sure I would never have used my old self-proclaimed title as “the king of stinking thinking!” … How’s that for a disempowering affirmation?!!

Science has verified that our cells vibrate at ease or dis-ease responding to what is broadly described as our ‘environment’ … this includes all our thoughts and words.

The mind and body are ONE.

In my work, I use a range of methods to elicit the root cause of a perceived ‘problem’ the person highlights as the focus for the session. This can be physical or mental or both. I carefully record all the information as well as any metaphors being used, beliefs being stated, and perception of the ‘problem’. There are always links and clues between the non-physical and physical. With this information I use my skills and techniques to reduce and eliminate negative effects and amplify and optimize the positives. It is a logical and measurable method using the innate resources of the mind and body to work cooperatively and create the changes.

References I use and recommend as a guide include Louise Hay’s book “Heal Your Body” which is an A-Z alphabetical list of the possible/probable mental causes for physical illness and new thought patterns (affirmations) to overcome them. It is amazing how accurate it is at times and how the condition resonates with life history or current circumstances. Another great resource I use is Inna Segal’s book “The Secret Language of Your Body”

Relevant posts:
Mind your language – your body is responding
Documented CURE for illness
Emotional Intelligence – how to feel how you want to feel

I hope you found this post useful and informative. If you have any comments or questions, or need advice or support to optimize your health and life experience, please get in touch. I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone or Zoom consultation.

Mind your language ~ your body is responding …

6 thoughts on “Mind your language ~ your body is responding …

  • August 27, 2017 at 6:36 pm
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    Thank you Gordon, as always, an easy to read positive outline of how our ‘thinking’ creates such a negative environment that our bodies have no choice but to live in.
    My interaction with you has altered the way I view my life. My life is a gift that I value hourly.
    Remembering to reflect and to affirm every situation has most definately created an endless circle of pleasure, only ever punctuated with ‘stress’ when I forget to stop, breathe and affirm.

    Namaste
    Allison

    • August 28, 2017 at 8:26 am
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      Thank YOU very much Allison and well done on all your great progress and positive changes. Every day in every way keep on keeping on! 🙂 My privilege to assist you on your way. Please continue to share all your special gifts.
      Peace and Namaste
      Gordon

  • August 28, 2017 at 6:20 am
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    Brilliant!

    • August 28, 2017 at 8:21 am
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      Thank you very much Lorraine. 🙂

  • August 28, 2017 at 7:19 am
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    Hi Gordon
    Yet another useful book. I purchased this today and I am sure it will be one of my many useful tools to staying healthy and happy. I agree with your philosophy whole heartedly and I work on myself every day so that in every way I feel better and better. I still need to try to meditate and I shall.

    Thank you
    A thousand times for your guidance
    Namaste

    • August 28, 2017 at 8:20 am
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      Thank YOU very much Isobel. Hugely appreciate you taking the time and always value your comments. Well done on all your progress.
      Enjoy your meditations. Fab!
      Namaste
      Gordon

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