The words we choose as we speak and think play a vital role in shaping who we are. For this reason I challenge you to consider your vocabulary and how it impacts who you are and how you think. Speaking differently will change the way you think and thinking differently will further change how you speak. It’s a reciprocating process of mental growth based on the fact that the words we speak out loud have a way of holding us accountable to ourselves.

Our vocabulary and vernacular are one of the identifying elements about us as individuals. Consciously incorperating new words into our speech can feel awkward at first. In the beginning we are consciously incompetent, meaning that when I hear myself use a new word I am aware that this is not the me I know, and this is not how I normally speak. My mind has to work harder to assemble the thought I’m attempting to express. This “extra work” is already changing who I am.

Some words to consider incorporating into your speech are, wisdom, Integrity, character, serve, submission, disciplined, accountable, favor, humility, thoughtful and many more. Making an effort to incorporate these words into your daily conversations will reshape who you are by altering the unwritten standards by which you live.

There are negative words as well, like folly, foolishness, hubris, slothful, profane, rebellious, unreliable. These words have the same effect of holding us accountable to ourselves as we hear ourselves speak aloud behaviors we want to avoid.

Begin by using a word in your thoughts. Hear your mind say, “That wouldn’t be wise.” Or, maybe, “Wisdom would dictate a different course here.” Your mind will automatically latch onto the idea that “wisdom” is conveying which forces it to think in terms of wise verses unwise.

In conclusion, think about what you’re thinking about and be intentional about the words you use. Speech should be one of those areas where we seek to grow. You are not who you’re going to be. For those of us who realize this fact and take it to heart, our hope is that who we’re going to become is a better version of who we are. But the new, better version doesn’t just happen by happen-stance. It happens by design… our own. And one way to design who we’re going to become is by increasing our vocabulary in a way that the words we use have the effect of challenging who we are.