Have you ever considered how just two words can powerfully impact how you live? Have you ever thought how just two words can be a blessing to others? Want to know how? Keep reading.
I’m intrigued by communication. Actually, I find communication fascinating. Part of communication involves words. I love words. I love reading words. I love writing words. I love speaking words. I know, sometimes I talk too much! 🙂
Recently I shared with you my personal Top 10 Most Influential Books. I love books, and the fuel they can have to ignite us to develop.
I’m a continuous learner. So anything I can read to help me learn something valuable, I appreciate and usually apply to my own life.
You’re in luck because I also love sharing what I learn.
Summarizing an entire book can be difficult, but in just two words I can share with you what I’ve learned from some amazing books, and how I’ve practically integrated two-word phrases into my life.
Ready?
Two-word combos that are powerful:
These two-word phrases are packed with effective ways to live. I’ve read the entire books to learn how to listen better, love better, forgive better, fail better and express joy better.
True Stories Ahead
- Many days, when I have conversations with my husband, I want to talk. But many times the thought enters my mind, “Just listen.” So I listen.
- I’m not a morning person. Sometimes I’m crabby when I wake up. I think, “Choose joy!” So I choose joy.
- A couple of Easters, ago I decided to make homemade split pea soup with the leftover hambone. Since the peas had to simmer for 45 minutes, I decided to take a walk at the same time, you know, multitask. Roughly 30 minutes later, my daughter Rachel called me on my cell phone and screamed, “The house is full of smoke!” After the crisis was over, I thought, “Failing forward!” I’m still failing forward with my cooking. 🙂
- I’ve had numerous interactions with my children that weren’t positive interactions. One occasion that comes to mind is when one of my adorable kiddos spoke disrespectfully to me. Frustrated from some life situations, this child of mine erupted in a litany of how horrible I was as a parent and then stormed out. Later, this child apologized. I thought “Total forgiveness.” So I forgave.
- Last Friday I was on vacation. I was excited to get to my writer’s studio to start writing. But I looked around my kitchen and noticed enough dirty dishes to fill my dishwasher (which is currently broken). I knew I needed to hand wash those dishes before I could go do what I really wanted to do. I did think for a second, “Hmmm, maybe one of my daughters will do the dishes.” Then I thought, “Love does.” So I hand washed the dishes.
Words are powerful communicators! Sometimes we need to use them on ourselves.
It truly only takes two words to profoundly change your life and develop great ways to communicate more effectively.
Two words are easy to remember too.
So, the next time you may want to talk or not do the dishes, remember, just two words can change the way you live, and be a blessing to others.
Great phrases for all of us to live by. Keeping in mind that I am extremely sleep deprived and just had lunch–I laughed when I asked myself, ‘What two word phrase can I apply to my life right now?’ and my inner wisdom yelled, NAP TIME. LOL. Not exactly what I was going for but it really is what I need in the moment.
I think I will ‘just listen’ to that inner voice, choose to forgive myself for not being more productive, and find joy in a few moments of shut-eye.
Riley, you made me laugh out loud! 🙂 Hey, I actually am a believer in naps! My post, “Resting is More Important than Sorting Socks” kind of mentions how I indulged that day. I’m with you, let’s all find joy in our moments of shut-eye!