Hablas Español?

Do you speak any other languages? Maybe you've considered how good it would feel to be able to speak to people in another language, but did you know it also expands range of your possible thoughts? It's true. There are concepts in each language that don't exist in others, as well as different expressions. These can give you new ways to think, and change your perspective on things.

Changing Your Perspective Through Language

It is no coincidence that many Americans see money as something created, rather than as a static quantity to be divided up. English, after all, is one of few languages that speaks of "making" money. In most languages, verb used is "to gain," or "to take," or "to get." Each of these affect ways in which people think about money. Personally, I think "making money" is a very healthy perspective.

In Spanish, you are not thirsty or cold or afraid. You say "I have thirst (yo tengo sed)", "I have coldness (yo tengo frio)," or "I have fear (yo tengo miedo)." So what is difference?

Well, in my humble opinion, if you dismissed it, then you're closing your mind to an important truth.

We all have tempers - lord knows I do. And I'm DANG good at lashing out with words - I have elevated nearly to level of an art form. Am I proud of this? Nope. I fight it, daily.

Why? I mean, some folks deserve to get blasted with both barrells, right?

Well, words have power. (heard that before?) And other truth that goes with that is 'For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction'.

Let's take my words have power statement first. If you don't believe me, just think about these.

A stressed and frustrated mother to her child who has just stepped across her final 'line': "You are driving me crazy, how could you be so stupid?" The child's face falls, his self-esteem plummets and seed of him believing he's stupid is planted - or, reinforced.

A dad who's had a bit too much to drink to his daughter, "You're never going to amount to anything." At very least, a seed of self-perception is planted - and like weeds, they take hold and grow.

A high school freshman whispering to her friends, just loud enough for girl with glasses or acne to hear, "She is so ugly, aren't you glad you don't look like her, I mean, GROSS!" A seed - 'I'm ugly' - and something girl will never forget and have to fight inside of herself for years and maybe a lifetime.

A teacher to a student, "Great job! I can see you really worked hard on this project, you did awesome!" The kid stands a little straighter, tries to hold grin inside. A different kind of seed is planted.