The Power of Words by Darcy Nybo

Author Profile: Darcy Nybo

Darcy Nybo is an award winning author, freelance journalist, online editor, book editor, publisher, word nerd, music lover and all around nut bar.

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Written by Darcy Nybo

All my life – even after my child was born – I was slender. I was that thin woman other women loved to hate. Then I hit 40 and my entire body retaliated for all the fun I had the previous 20+ years. I had to get glasses and then, to my horror, my fat pants became too tight.

For those of you who miraculously have escaped owning a pair of fat pants; those are the pants one keeps in a drawer for those days of the month when bloating won’t allow your regular pants to do up without some discomfort.

What does this have to do with words? Everything. Once I gained weight I started telling myself I was fat. Well it appears my self believed me and I gained even more weight, most of the weight was fat.

The mind is a very powerful thing and the more self deprecating things you say about yourself and to yourself – the more your Self believes it. Don’t get me wrong, I do know the chocolate and the butter on the popcorn had something to do with me gaining more weight. However, the “I am fat” statement was quickly followed by the “I am fat anyway…” statement which put me on a very slippery slope. It’s like saying “I am broke,” say it often enough and pretty soon you will be. Words are that powerful.

self-image

The problem with the statement “I am fat” is that it leaves no room for anything else. Three little words, one short sentence followed by a period, full stop, nothing left to say. It’s also a ridiculous statement. It’s like saying I am protein or I am carbohydrates. The statement, “I am fat” is completely untrue no matter which way you look at it.

Being a woman in today’s society means being bombarded every day with images of what a small group of people perceive to be beauty. These women are airbrushed, shot with soft focus lenses and lit in such a way, it’s impossible to look bad. We believe in size zero beauty, but we live in a size 12 world. I call it being hypnotized by society. Let’s face it, real life doesn’t come with an airbrush.

As a writer, I have to edit things all the time. I now have to edit my thoughts and how I speak to others and myself. When I look in the mirror and hear that nasty little voice start to say “I am fat,” I cut it off after the first two words. Instead I say “I am.” It’s a great little exercise and it is very empowering. Another good way to edit your self talk is to add positive words. Do away with the negatives; the fat, ugly, stupid, broke, weak words and toss in a few beautiful, amazing, perfect, divine, prosperous, strong words.

I subscribe to a daily newsletter and the gist of the daily message is simple and I’d like to pass it on to you.

“Thoughts become things… choose the good ones.”

Our valuable member Darcy Nybo has been with us since Tuesday, 17 January 2012.