“Moving Hearts: Warm Conversations” by Dr. Yoon Chi-young

There’s a proverb that says, “Words become seeds.” In our youth, we might have seen it as a simple saying, but as we navigate through life, it becomes increasingly resonant.

If we often think and speak negatively, things tend not to work out well in the end. However, even in similar circumstances, if we think positively and speak positively, things that seemed difficult can turn out well.

Ultimately, it seems that what happens around us depends on our “mindset.” Our minds are ultimately connected to our “thoughts,” and this, in turn, manifests in our outcomes.

“The Four Powers of Words”

The author, Dr. Yoon Chi-young, who is known as a master of rhetoric, says that words have four powers:

The power of affirmation.
The power of persuasion.
The power of achievement.
The power of destruction.

The first is the power of affirmation. A certain neuroscientist once proclaimed that 98% of brain cells are under the control of speech. It’s said that a person who repeated the following three times for five minutes every day:

“I can do great things. I have great potential within me. I have untapped potential within me!”

By repeating these words daily, he eventually gained confidence and passion bubbling up from within and became a person capable of doing great things.

The second is the persuasive power. Words have the power to induce action. When we speak, it becomes imprinted in the brain, which then controls the spine, and the spine governs actions. Ultimately, what we say is transmitted to the brain and leads to action.

The third is the power to achieve something. A young man once went to the renowned management scholar Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and asked:

“Dr. Peale, how can I improve my sales skills?”

Dr. Peale handed him a small card and asked him to transcribe what he said.

“I am an excellent salesperson. I am a sales expert. I am fully prepared. I am a professional. I turn the people I meet into my friends. I take immediate action.”

Dr. Peale advised him to carry the card around and recite it like an incantation. The young man soon put it into practice, and before long, a miracle happened. Positive words about himself transformed him into a capable salesperson.

The fourth is the power of destruction. Speaking negatively permeates life with an attitude of defeatism and makes life mundane. Saying negative things like “It’s hard,” “I should quit,” “I’m going crazy,” “It’s not my thing,” can actually lead life in that direction.

“As you speak, so shall you become.”

Life unfolds as we speak, much like the lyrics of a song. In reality, when I was trapped in negative thoughts in the past, the results were not good. However, when I changed my mindset to thinking, “Why not give it a try? It seems like it might work,” good results followed.

Ultimately, words dominate thoughts and actions. Gaultier once said:

“The eyes of a human speak of their present, and the mouth speaks of what they will become.”

“Great changes start from small things.”

The book advises frequent light greetings. Since significant changes start from small things, our lives are mostly filled with “habitual actions” performed without much thought.

Ultimately, changing small habits can lead to significant changes. If you greet people lightly and frequently, you’ll naturally develop a positive mindset and live each day with a good mood.

“Rich language skills help control emotions.”

The author suggests that having rich language skills makes it easier to control emotions. If your vocabulary is limited, your ability to express yourself is also limited. Since diverse emotions are often expressed, having a rich vocabulary can influence the language you use in everyday life, which is also an essential element in living positively and happily.

Philosopher Heidegger even referred to language as the “home of existence,” indicating its significant role in our lives.

“About Speech…”

In the latter part of the book, the discussion revolves around “speech.” In modern society, the importance of speech and presentations is increasing.

Whether at school or in the workplace, presentations and debates have become commonplace. There was a time when this trend peaked, and there were even “presentation interviews” during job interviews. Although this trend is relatively waning now, speech remains crucial.

“How to Give a Good Speech: The Power of Self-Affirmation and Image Training”

There’s a saying, “There’s no teacher better than experience.” Of course, it would be ideal to experience everything firsthand, but there are limits to what we can experience. Both in terms of time and money. When conditions are not favorable, self-affirmation and image training can be used.

This involves imagining oneself from a third-party perspective. If you have an important presentation coming up, imagine yourself from the audience’s perspective or envision yourself delivering a fantastic presentation in front of a crowd. Just doing this can significantly enhance your speaking skills.

Of course, direct practice is even better. With enough practice, nervousness diminishes naturally. By combining proper practice with image training, you can effectively control yourself even before stepping into a daunting presentation.

“The Feature That Distinguishes Humans from Other Animals: Speech”

Speech occupies a significant portion of our lives. If your speech is filled with negative words, it’s worth reevaluating. If you often use negative expressions in your speech, it’s good to be cautious. Moreover, it’s even better to replace negative words with positive ones.

Of course, this is somewhat based on pseudoscience, but psychologically, it can be helpful. Living with positive thoughts is much closer to a better life than living with negative thoughts.

“Warm Conversations that Move the Heart: Conversations that Move the Heart with Warm Words”