We have all kinds of conversations with ourselves. Dome of those chats are good while others are not so good. This short video is about what you say to yourself about yourself!
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We all have a mental picture of ourselves that we have have painted… Following this article is a poem that might be familiar to you.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “What you see is what you get.” Perhaps you use it once in awhile. It has been used for a long time, in a variety of ways including song lyrics.
So, what about when you look into the mirror? What do you see? Just who is that person? Have you ever just stopped for a few minutes and stared into the mirror? I’m not talking about fixing your hair or adjusting your clothing. I’m talking about staring right into the mirror.
Who do you see? What do you think of that person starring right back at you? Do you like what you see? Is the person you see headed for success or failure in life?
Is that person just getting by day after day? What has that person accomplished that impresses you? Do you admire that person?
Now I am sure that there are a number of people that you admire, but have you ever considered just why you admire them? What specific quality do you find appealing enough to admire them? There must be reasons why you hold them in such high esteem. So, just what is it about them?
Do you know all the faults, weaknesses and shortcomings of the people that you admire? Is that what you admire about them? Absolutely not.
Okay, so now back to the mirror. Do you admire the person you see in the mirror? If not, why not? Is it because they have not achieved a level that would warrant your admiration? Or, is it that you know their failings and shortcomings all too well? Is that what you see when you look into the mirror, only failures and shortcomings?
If that’s true, then stay at the mirror for just a bit longer. Do you have any compliments for the person in the mirror? You must have a least one, don’t you? After all, you’ve known that person for a really long time. Surely, there must something you can bring to mind about them that is positive and complimentary.
How about another compliment? And another? The person in the mirror needs and deserves your praise. So, why not give them a compliment? Say it!
Yes, say it: “I’m proud of you for doing that.” I’m really impressed at the way you handled that situation.” “You know, you really are good at that.” Why do we think that it is just fine and normal to beat ourselves up for our failures and shortcomings, but somehow think that it is egotistical to recognize and acknowledge our successes? I think we’ve got it all backwards!
Often, when people look into the mirror they only see failures, shortcomings, and weaknesses. That’s what they see because that’s the picture of themselves that they carry around day after day.
The picture that we carry of ourselves is the one that we have painted with our own self-talk. The things that we think and say about ourselves are the paint that we have chosen to put on the canvas. And, what you see is what you get.
The picture that you carry of yourself will manifest and be evident in your life. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he!” Our consistent thoughts about ourselves and the emotions they evoke will eventually move into our belief system. Our lives today are a product of our own belief system.
The good news is that if we want to, we can change our belief system, and thus change our lives.
A great starting point, or, a simple method to help in that process, is to compliment the person looking back at you whenever you look into the mirror. Remind them of past successes, not past failures. Remind them of good things, not bad.
Remind them of what God has done for them because of what Christ accomplished. Remind them of who they really are – God’s righteous child. Remind them that with God’s help there is no stopping them, for He has promised to give us the desires of our hearts.
This simple method, along with guarding the things that you think and say about yourself, will help you greatly in changing your belief system so that you can truly be the person you desire to be.
What you see is what you get!
Michael Verdicchio
2011
Over the years, the following poem has been misquoted and even wrongly titled as, “The Man in the Glass.” Here is the original, written in 1934, by Dale Wimbrow. And, no, there is no typo in the last word of the first line; it is indeed the word, “pelf.”
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.
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I originally published this article in August, 2007. After what I wrote in yesterday’s Pep Letter, I thought this would be a really good follow up.
The title of this article might seem obnoxious to some people. Others might find it down right rude. But give me a moment or two, so I can explain why you may really need to shut up!
Words are indeed very powerful. That’s no secret. But most people do not realize just how powerful their own words are. The truth is your words can change your life.
I’m talking specifically about the words you think and speak to yourself about yourself. Some refer to this as, “self talk.” Whatever you call it, we all talk to ourselves.
Throughout the course of the day, we all mutter things to ourselves about ourselves. We all have thoughts about ourselves. Very few realize that those words and those thoughts are literally life changing.
The sad thing is that what many people speak to themselves is negative. They say things like, “I just can’t lose any weight.” I’ll never find a better job.” “I can’t find the right person to marry.” “My life is just miserable.” And on and on they go.
If you consistently speak words of failure, you will continue to fail. If you consistently speak discouraging words, you will continue to be discouraged. If you consistently speak words of helplessness, you will not find the help that you need.
Here’s the key. You will bring into your life that which you mentally focus on. This is reinforced by the words that you speak to yourself. It is a universal law. It is the way God designed us! The dominant thoughts that you hold in your heart is what you will absolutely manifest in your life.
Do you know someone with a very low self-esteem? I can absolutely guarantee you that people with a low self-esteem repeatedly speak discouraging words to themselves about themselves. On the other hand, those with a high self-esteem continue to speak to themselves about victory, success and possibilities.
The words that you speak to yourself, and especially the words about yourself, will either bring you to success or failure. What a great key in life this really is! This is something you can do every day, throughout the day! Speak words of success and victory to yourself.
Yes, it will take effort. There may be a number of areas that you will need to adjust your thinking and self talk. But isn’t it worth it? Of course it is!
Now I know the naysayer will quickly pop up and try to tell you that you are out of touch with reality. You can’t say things are going well if they really are not, can you? That’s living in denial isn’t it?
No, it is not denial. It is choosing to change your reality from where it is to where you desire it to be. When planning a vacation you might hear someone say, “I am going to Hawaii; I can see myself now, lying on the beach…” Is that being out of touch with reality? Or, is that planning, expecting, and visualizing what is desired?
Start your day by declaring, “This is going to be a great day!” “Things are going to be fantastic for me today.” My life is on track and I am headed for success.” “Yes, I will erase all of my debt.”
When you begin to make an effort to speak positively to yourself about yourself, that little voice in the background will pop up and say, “Oh who are you kidding? You’re never going to get out of debt.”
Tell the voice to, “shut up!” Then repeat the positives that you have just spoken to yourself. “My life is on track and I am headed for success! Yes, I will erase all of my debt.”
And don’t just say it; express it with passion; feel it; breathe it; know that it is coming!
And here’s another helpful key. Make a decision to never, ever speak negatively about yourself, ever again! If you do, then immediately say, “Shut up!”
Now, I know the phrase “Shut up” is a harsh phrase. I could have said, “Stop it,” or, “Be quiet,” or something like that.
But I think, “Shut up” carries a lot more force! And if there are defeating thoughts in your mind, they really do need to shut up and go.
Just as changing the little rudder on a big ship will change the direction of the ship, so too changing what you speak will change the direction of your life. The words that you speak, whether out loud or silently, are an indication of what you believe in your heart. 
That’s why the words that you speak to yourself about yourself will determine the course and direction of your life. So, whenever you need to, go ahead and tell yourself to shut up!
Mike Verdicchio
August 2007
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We all talk to ourselves, all day long, about lots of things. But does it make any difference what we are saying to ourselves about ourselves?
In this short video, (3:19) discover the effects of your own self talk. You just might want to change the message!
Enjoy the video.
Leave A Comment! We’d love to hear from you.
