I HATE...fill in the blank

James 3: 8-10

 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 It has probably been at least 6 years since I began a quest of sorts of self-improvement. I didn't really do it on purpose.  I read a simple little book oft mentioned in my blog. As a Man Thinketh. As soon as I got over how beautiful it was, I understood the simple truth that man is the creator of his thoughts, and I wanted to learn to create wonderful thoughts. Over the few months following reading it, I began trying to weed out my overgrown garden that is my mind. I began correcting false and harmful thoughts; reversing them.

Over time, my spirits lifted. I thought better of my self and others. And I do see changes in my thoughts, words, actions, and temperament because of it. A simple success formula. Watch your thoughts, control your words. Easier said than done. It takes LOTS of practice. And I believe it will never end.

The reading of that lovely little book, took me down a road that I believe is less traveled. A road to systematically eliminate my many negative traits and become what God has fashioned me to be. I don't have the clear vision He does, of what that is, but I continue to strive for it, and as I do, He reveals little pieces of it to me. I have not yet achieved perfection I am sorry to say, but I do feel I am a better person, still with a long way to go.

Why is the tongue so poisonous? Why is it compared to fire? Poison and fire sicken and destroy. And our words do that every day. How can we bless God and curse Him with the same part of our body? How can we praise Him and curse our friends? These things ought not to be. 

Brigham Young said, 

I have but recently told you that some people think they are capable of judging everybody but themselves. Let us judge ourselves. And if any are disposed to let that unruly member, the tongue, do that which will wound the heart, darken the spirit, and bring us into subjection to an evil practice, resist such a disposition—throw it from you. If you will do that, you will find that the wicked will forsake their wickedness, and those who are inclined to think evil will cease doing so, and those who are inclined to utter evil words about their neighbors will cease that habit, and it will not be long before the people have perfect control over themselves. If you first gain power to check your words, you will then begin to have power to check your judgment, and at length actually gain power to check your thoughts and reflections.

So, I keep trying. A teacher/mentor whose seminar I attended caught me in mid sentence with my destructive words. It was a minor, simple thing. I said, "I hate early mornings." He looked at me fiercely and asked me, "What did you say?" When I began to repeat it, he stopped me after the second word. Hate. "I hate." He encouraged me to watch that expression. I hate? I don't hate. I don't WANT to hate. But our words can reveal that we do indeed hate. 

I did not take action on that right away. Just a month or so ago, I decided it was time to try to eliminate that word. I have been pretty good at replacing it with, I don't love, I am not a fan of, I don't care for. An even better suggestion is to focus my words on what I do love, am a fan of, do care for. I was doing so well. 

Then the other day I did not even catch myself say, "I hate candy." I don't really hate candy. I was speaking of Halloween and how it is not my favorite holiday. Pretty sure I probably also said I hate Halloween. I don't care for the excessive amounts of candy or sugar, or for that matter costumes, decorations, blah, blah, blah. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas though. :-)

Anywho. She repeated that back to me tonight at the Halloween carnival I took the Arteest and the Butterfly to. Oh the irony! I was horrified it had slipped past me and determined to give myself the write 100 times assignment. I will NOT say hate. But, I will use my own advice and phrase it properly. So, since the next 100 sentences will all be exactly the same, you can stop reading here. Haha.

I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love.I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love. I will replace hate with Love.

It really is 100 times.