Easter is coming – hot cross buns, kids anticipating chocolate eggs, and time to socialize with family and friends. It’s the perfect occasion to mentally put your finger to your lips and watch what you think and say – about yourself and others.
Kind thoughts and constructive words benefit everyone. They encourage, lift spirits, and promote harmony and peace. They also help negate the type of bullying language that can occur on social media. Such positive outcomes make watching what you think and say good for your health and the health of others – especially young people.
WATCH WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF
It’s tempting to look at someone who’s popular or successful and wish you were happier, smarter, or more attractive! If this happens, mentally take a stand. Refuse to find fault with yourself.
TIPS:
– Watch what you think and say about yourself – especially on social media.
– Don’t criticize yourself mentally or verbally. Think and say positive things. They’ll benefit you. Also you’ll be more inclined to do the same to others.
– Appreciate who you are and what you can do. You’re special, beautiful and talented. Believe it! We all have unique qualities. Find out what you’re good at doing, and build on it.
– Uproot jealousy and resentment about other people’s looks or achievements. Don’t allow envy to grow in your thinking. It causes trouble at home, school or work.
– Improve your potential. “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts”. Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p. 261.
WATCH WHAT YOU THINK AND SAY ABOUT OTHERS
In primary school a male teacher told a young child that she struggled with math because she was a girl! Sadly, his words had a negative impact on all her school work from then on.
TIPS:
– Be careful what you say. Words uttered thoughtlessly can’t be recalled. In every conversation be wise, thoughtful, encouraging. “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”. Bible. Proverbs 16:24.
– Be a team player. Don’t utter demeaning, negative, or spiteful statements. Help others realise their potential for success. When speaking, be “peaceful, courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions, free from favouritism and from all insincerity.” Bible. James 3:17.
– Practice the Gold Rule of living. Think and say to others what you would like them to think and say to you. Have a happy Easter! Watch what you think and say. It’s good for everyone’s health.
– Beverly Goldsmith writes on the connection between spirituality and health and is an experienced Christian Science practitioner and teacher.
– This article is published on Motherpedia. Read more from Beverly on Motherpedia…
– Also published in the MARCH 2018 edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona Community newspapers in print and online via Issuu.
Photo attribution: © Glow Images. Models used for illustrative purposes.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Thank you Beverly, for this clear and practical article with spiritual ideas on how to handle bullying and issues of self-image. I like the way you show how recognising negative thoughts for what they are (negative) helps us stop envy or resentment from entering our thoughts disguised as something good – a great reminder that the choice to be kind rather than critical protects us as well as others.
Thank you so much Abigail for your excellent comment. I agree with you that choosing to be kind rather than critical is such a blessing to everyone. My mother used to quote what Bambi was taught in the Walt Disney film: “if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all”. I’m so grateful for this guidance. It’s a simple reminder of the Golden Rule – think and say to others what you would like them to think and say to you.