Sally Stone - Golden Words: The A to Z Toolkit for Changing Your Life One Word at a Time

Published by Wisdom Heart, LLC 2015 by Sally Stone

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. For information, contact Sally Stone at www.DrSallyStone.com.

The content of this book is for general instruction only. Each persons physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual condition is unique. The instruction in this book is not intended to replace or interrupt the readers relationship with a physician or other professional. Please consult your doctor for matters pertaining to your specific health and diet.

ISBN: 978-0-9969159-0-8 (paperback)

ISBN: 978-0-9969159-1-5 (ebook)

BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Inspiration & Personal Growth

BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Mindfulness & Meditation

PSYCHOLOGY / Hypnotism

Cover design by Laura Duffy

Book design by Karen Minster

Cover concept by Sally Stone

Word cloud art by Sally Stone

This book is dedicated to my mom and dad,

who gave me life and love,

to my stepdad, Bob,

who nourished me with words,

and to all the celestial and earth angels

whove inspired me to

stay the course on my journey.

Who is the most nurturing person you know?
Talk to yourself like that.

Elena Kaiser

Contents

Part One

The Interactive Dictionary Toolkit

Golden Words You Can Use

Part TWO

The Science of Golden Words,
Mantras, and Hypnosis

Authors Note

A book about golden words wouldnt be complete without addressing the flashes of spiritual insight that lie at the pinnacle of positive human experience. Since I refer to these types of experiences throughout this book, Id like to share how Ive used those terms.

I believe the spiritual happiness we seek is our true nature, which is identified in meditation traditions as the Higher Self or simply the Self. The state of our Higher Self is love, peace, joy, bliss, freedom, purity, clarity, connectedness, light, and wholeness. No matter what we experience in lifeups or downs, health or disease, community or solitude, poverty or wealththe Higher Self remains united with the nature of the universe. Various methods help us stabilize ourselves in the experience of the Higher Self. Golden words are one of the vehicles for living happily in this world and guiding us to those higher states.

In spiritual traditions, the universal energy goes by many names including God, Spirit, Divine Mind, Cosmic Consciousness, Cosmic Mind, Great Spirit, Universal Design, Brahman, the Tao, Allah, All That Is, the Absolute, the Truth, Infinite Consciousness, and others. In truth, the ineffable experience of Spirit usually leaves us wide-eyed with joy, but groping for words. Poetry steps in when words fall short to describe the deep, oceanic experience of infinity that overwhelms the rational mind.

Throughout this book, Ive used a variety of terms interchangeably to express this poetic experience of universal energy, but if you have a word or words youre more comfortable with, please make a substitution as you read.

If youd like to see additional golden words in future editions of this book, please send me a note that includes your reasons for including them. Id enjoy discussing your suggestions as well as your favorite golden words and tools.

Best wishes,

Sally

Preface

The Living Power of Words

_____

It is better to conquer yourself than to win
a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours.
It cannot be taken from you, not by angels
or by demons, not by heaven or by hell.

Buddha

H ow do you speak to yourself throughout the day? Are you an architect of despair or a cheerleader of your own victory? Do you shrug your shoulders and wonder if any of it really matters, or do you guide yourself through challenges, calling on your intuition and trustworthy resources? How do you experience the words you say to yourself and hear from others? Do you feed yourself unhealthy words that cast shadows on you and your life, or do you nourish yourself with positive words?

I began learning techniques for mantra repetition, affirmations, and positive thinking in the mid 1980s. I believed these practices would help me lead a happier life, so I diligently practiced themdespite feeling skeptical about some of their effects. Certain aspects of my life, especially my career, unfolded magically and encouraged me to follow my intuition. In other areas, in particular relationships both personal and professional, my efforts sometimes ended in disappointment. These mixed experiences made me wonder if I should be disillusioned with myself or with positive thinking.

I kept my cynicism at arms length, hidden from others, and dove deeper into meditation. Meditation offered insights, growing levels of awareness, and access to an independent source of happiness that offset my disappointments it felt good. As for the parts of my life that werent going so well, I distracted myself by keeping busy at work, at the gym, and with my friends. I enjoyed the life Id created, and did my best to practice gracious acceptance by modifying some of my dreams and letting go of others.

Over the years, I built a successful career, eventually earning a doctoral degree in education, two teaching awards, and a wide variety of professional opportunities. I was in excellent physical condition thanks to hours spent at the gym and an organic, plant-based diet. But I had given up on finding a partner (one relationship had ended in violence), lost two children before they were born, and walked away from a number of youthful dreams, including working in complementary medicine, writing, and using intuition as a guide in all areas of my life.

I partitioned my life into what worked and what didnt. I loved working with children, especially in the areas of expertise Id developed, which were process writing and interest-oriented, inquiry-based curriculum. At work, I enjoyed childrens curious minds, honest emotions, and unique needs, which made the outside world disappear. I dove into work, where I felt blessed to be paid for a labor of love and in sync with my intuition and creativity. I continued to ignore other aspects of my life believing the sacrifices Id made and the challenges, traumas, and disappointments Id experienced were normal.

As the years went by, close friends and mentors urged me to pursue other activities, both professional and personal. One of them suggested, You help all the children birth their dreams and talents. You should give some of your own a chance. These words struck a chord deep in my psyche and sparked many research, curriculum, and publication projects. But there was only so much I could juggle, and I didnt know how to change a successful career midstream. I dismissed that notion as impractical and unwise, especially financially. I had built a fortress of security and planned to stay there.

Then, I was severely injured in a bicycle accident. Through the unlikely combination of an ecstatic, near-death experience and the grueling pain and long-winded healing journey that followed, I began to understand the living power of words and how I could use them to forge a more balanced, happier life.

The Accident:
Meeting Angels and Ancestors

Four days before the accident, I had a dream that turned out to be prophetic. It was less a warning than a glimpse into the inevitable. My dream had four scenes.

First, I felt wet blood on my hand. The blood stood out against a dim, black and white scene. Next, I was lying in bed listening to screaming-loud rock music. The noise was so irritating to my nervous system, I felt like Id been put through a shredder. Next to my bed I noticed a black box with a sliding volume control switch. When I slid the switch to zero, I was suddenly wrapped in complete silence, an invisible cocoon of sweet healing. In the last scene, I set the timer on a treadmill for 35 minutes. When I began to jog, and realized I could move and use both my arms, I was flooded with ecstasy and gratitude. Smiling, I raised my arms in victory.