Tag Archive for word

Accentuate the Positive

Studies have been done on the effects that comments have on people.  It’s obvious that negative comments are hurtful.  We all know the gut-feeling when someone says something that cuts us down, lumps us into an unpopular category, refers to our loved one in an unkind way, makes our work seem meaningless, or otherwise shows contempt toward us and disrespect for us as a person.  Those studies indicate that a single negative comment takes five positive ones to counteract.  Herein lie two lessons: 1) We should try to avoid those soul-tearing words, yet notice when we slip and say them…it happens to all of us. 2) We should practice saying five positive things daily to each person we live with or have frequent contact with.  In this way, we work toward showing more respect for other members of our human family.  And our emphasizing the positive makes us a happier, less stressed-out person.

Fun for Word-Lovers

I’m in a playful, punny mood. If you aren’t, stop reading.

Lexophile describes those that have a love for words, such as “you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish,” or “To write with a broken pencil is pointless.” An annual competition is held by the New York Times to see who can create the best original lexophile. This year’s winning submission is posted at the very end.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.If you don’t pay your exorcist, you can get repossessed.
I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.
I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
Did you hear about the crossed-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?
When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.
When chemists die, they barium.
I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.
I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.
England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
This girl today said she recognized me from the Vegetarians Club, but I’d swear I’ve never met herbivore.
I know a guy who’s addicted to drinking brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
I got some batteries that were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
A will is a dead giveaway.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He’s all right now.
A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine last week has now fully recovered.
He had a photographic memory but it was never fully developed.When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she’d dye.
Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of it.
Those who get too big for their pants will be totally exposed in the end.        

Yes, They WILL Hurt!

I never did like the nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” As a child growing up with a physical disability, I quickly learned this is a lie.

It’s a lie that affects many people we know–those with schizophrenia, depression, and addictions, for example. And those we label “OCD” or say “committed suicide.” What difference does the language we use make and what can we do about it? Read this short article from Our Health, “Say it or Swap It?” It’s a bit of an eye-opener.

Medical Word-Play

I’ve been too serious again lately.  And, it’s Friday and the start of a nice, long weekend.  Besides, as my regular readers know, I  can’t resist plays on words.  My mind is just twisted that way.  I hope you enjoy these.  Blame Walt Landers.  I got this from him.  (You may want to do a Ctrl/Alt scroll up to  enlarge.)

Sticks and Stones

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” So goes the child’s defensive chant. But we all knows that isn’t true, because we’ve all been the victims of words. Today’s Thursday Thought, then, gives some excellent advice.