August Editorial: ReVisions
This month, PHS Founder and Managing Editor Trish Wylie, talks about how revising a few of the words we use before we write the next chapter of our lives...
It's impossible to edit or revise a chapter of your life once the page has turned. The past is behind us. There's nothing we can do to change it. We simply keep moving forwards and focus on what comes next.
Our lives are stories we continue to write every day. But by occasionally reading back over the work you've already done, you may discover words you've over-used or ones which could be replaced that could change your storyline in the next chapter.
As you know by now, I'm a big fan of the power of positivity. It pulled me out of the darkness and still does on the days when the light gets a bit dim. Yes, those days still happen. I've accepted that now. Depression never really goes away. You merely learn to cope with it better. And yes, that can be done. So, if you've just read what I said and told yourself it's impossible or it won't ever happen or you can't, then you're letting depression win. It's also, just FYI, a prime example of what I'm talking about here.
Keep telling yourself something is impossible and you can't or won't and you never will. And guess what the biggest obstacle is standing in your way...? Hint: Have you got a mirror nearby?
One of the biggest steps you can take towards making a positive change in your life, is deleting some words from your personal dictionary. Think of it as ongoing revisions, the kind you make while writing. Not the ones you wish you'd made when you read something you wrote years ago.
So, what words should we delete?
Can't is a the most common one. I can't find time to write. I can't sell this book because there's nowhere to pitch it. I can't lose those ten extra pounds. I can't leave this relationship even though its making me miserable. I can't do this alone. I can't talk about it. Can't sets a limit on what you are capable of doing, which is great when it comes to anything which might earn you a lengthy prison sentence, but isn't such a good thing when it comes to personal goals.
Won't is the stubborn version of can't. Won't digs its heels in and refuses to move. Won't is lazy and doesn't want to make an effort. I won't ever finish writing this book. I won't ever sell this book. I won't ever lose those ten pounds. Add something along the lines of 'but I tried' to the end of any of those statements and won't becomes a whiny little bitch, too. Won't needs to go, pronto!
Impossible can bring out the 'oh, is that so?' in you or it can appeal to the voice which says 'yeah, you could never do that, just quit now'. Wanna guess which one I think you should listen to?
Words have power, even if we don't say them out loud. If anything, saying them inside your head can give them more power, particularly if it's something you repeat over and over again. I'm not talking about empty words or misspoken words or those used to try and correct a mistake without actually making an apology. Those are the kinds of words I like to think we all try to delete along the way. Cos we're constantly learning, right? That's what heroes do. They're not born heroes. They evolve.
So, here's the challenge, my friends...
From now until the September editorial appears, you're gonna delete the words which are holding you back. There's no such word as can't or won't. There's only can and will. Every time you mess up and use one of the words you've vowed not to use, you're gonna repeat the replacement word in your head ten times. Use the exact same brain-washing tactic that bastard depression employs. Use it against him and all his close personal bastard friends, doubt, paranoia and fear.
Change the word can't into can and think of how much you could achieve.
It's never too late to delete some of the negativity from your life. Nor, while you're still breathing, is it ever too late to start re-writing your story. Revisions are a good thing. They can help you see everything clearly and tighten the focus onto the things that matter most.
Can't, won't, never, weak, afraid... DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE.
You can do it. Yes, you can.
To find out more about Trish and her writing, you can visit her website or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
What words could you remove from your mental dictionary? What words would you replace them with? Are you going to accept Trish's challenge for the next few weeks? Tell us in the comments or join the discussion on this subject on our Social Media using the hashtag #BreakOut
