by Fabian Agiurgioaei, M.S.
We love to talk. We talk all the time: on the phone, to each other, we Tweet, we post comments on Facebook, we send e-mails, and some people speak even in their sleep.
Spoken language is probably the most human characteristic that separates us from other species, a wonderful asset that helps us communicate our feelings, express our love, bond with people, encourage others or express our gratitude. Nevertheless, words may easily become a dangerous device used to create emotional traps, confusion and suffering. Just remember the last time someone told you something that hurt! However, even more important is the way we talk to ourselves. Although people around us are not usually aware of our internal dialogue, it has a tremendous impact on how we think, feel and behave in our everyday life.
According to the REBT principles, awareness of the internal dialogue represents a cornerstone of the emotional wellbeing and a “must-have” in the change process. For example, remember a recent situation when you made yourself feel very depressed or very angry! For example, that time when you were not invited to a party, or when someone pushed you in the subway. Continue reading →