Sometimes if we're in a bad place we can read things and take them to heart, imagine someone is having a go, perceive some (intended or not) criticism. I've figured that it only takes a small word change to put a different perspective on a situation. Instead of asking ourselves the accusatory "what is this saying about me?" which can lead to insecurity and defensiveness, what if we ask "what is this saying to me?" which I believe is a far more healthy question that can lead to growth. Words, ideas, opinions can speak to us all the time, encouraging us to ask of ourselves "how do I want to develop from this?" I personally find this much easier when it is a self-motivated action rather than it being a reaction. So if I read an article and think, that's interesting, how could I apply that in some way to my life, I can be uplifted. Far more effective than when being dragged down by the thought that someone thinks we ought to be doing something differently. Linked to this is my belief that other people's words speak of them and their stuff, not about me. But that all words can contain nuggets of wisdom we can choose to think about it we so desire.
Actions speak even louder than words. There's an article I only saw the start of so want to go back and find. It seemed to suggest that dogs respond far better to patting than praise. This fits well with my experience of dogs and humans. I'm off to stroke as many of each as I can :-)
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