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“I’m so jealous.”

It’s uttered about the most innocent things—a friend telling you about a holiday, or a really super date they had, or success in finally baking the perfect chocolate roulade. But how does saying that you’re jealous make you feel? It has an icky after effect, right? Like accidentally eating moldy bread.

This experiment is a practical exercise you can incorporate into your day. It is based on the theory of Like Attracts Like. Just as positive attracts positive, and negative attracts negative, certain words or phrases we say (usually flippantly), have a much bigger influence than we give them credit for.

The experiment is: Omit these 4 terms from your vocabulary for a week and see how it transforms your actions and interactions with others.

Applles

Jealous

[definition: hostile towards a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.]

Right away, the energy of hostility is brought into the room. You may be very happy for someone with good news, but by using the word jealous, you transfer the focus from their happiness to what you perceive is lacking in your life. This may inadvertently cause your friend to close up or feel like they shouldn’t be happy. And it’s not beneficial for your psyche, either.

INSTEAD of using the word jealous, try saying, “That’s wonderful news,” or “I’m happy for you.” You’d be surprised by how genuinely delighted you can be for someone by choosing not to be jealous, and how much goodness you’ll receive back.

Curry

Stress

[definition. a physical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may result in disease causation.]

We all experience the Big S. But when you name it, you give it power. There are many round-about ways to continue at the pace of a busy lifestyle while remaining calm under pressure. It’s like learning to surf through the mighty pull of life’s waves. Alternatively, you can make the decision to slow down—it’s a choice! Either way, see what it’s like to omit the word stress, even if just for a week.

INSTEAD of saying stress, name what the situation is. It’s usually not vague. Was the bus late? Is your boss being overbearing? Did your gf/bf use all the teabags but left the box in the press? It’s not just stress. It’s life. Name the situation and maybe you’ll see a clearer way of getting around it, or simply choose to let it go!

Dill

Bored

[definition. lacking interest in something.]

This is a funny one. The world is a massive living rock crawling with 7 billion people all doing an infinite number of individual activities. There’s space exploration. There are bee experts. There’s a fruit that grows in the rainforests of Central America called Monstera Deliciosa. There is SO much going on in the world. Explore. Read. Create. Enjoy it.

INSTEAD of saying that you are bored, ask yourself how you want to use your time. Use the lull to be inspired. Let some of life’s hidden doors reveal themselves during these quiet spaces.

Eggs

I Don’t Like

[definition. to disagree with a certain person, place, thing, or idea.]

It’s super easy to say that you don’t like something and to really feel that way about it. But when you say that you don’t like something, you give it a mysterious power. Have you ever realized how something you dislike very strongly affects you more than something you’re apathetic about? Often the things we don’t like (e.g. a seemingly unachievable yoga pose or raw kale) can be our best teachers.

INSTEAD of saying I don’t like blah-blah-blah, notice the thing, person, place, or idea that is bringing about this feeling. Why do you feel this way, can you do something about it, and then can you let it go?

There are many other words and phrases that can be used for this exercise. But this is a good start. Allow what you say to nourish your positive vibes. Just as your breath anchors you in your yoga practice, let your thoughts and words anchor you in your actions.

“Love is the bridge between you and everything.” – Rumi

Matt

Author Matt

I started YogaHub out of a room at the back of someone else's house back in 2012 with nothing more than an idea. I'd been teaching Yoga since 2008 and had no intention of opening a Yoga Studio. I think, like everything I've done, I just decided one day I was going to give it a try. And try I did and if you're reading this I guess I'm still trying.

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