Positive Words, Powerful Results

Simple Ways to Honor, Affirm, and Celebrate Life

By: Hal Urban

Narrated by: Hal Urban

Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Although we live in an ocean of words, we rarely acknowledge their power to uplift or put down, to inspire or discourage, to help or hurt. But in this jewel of an audiobook, Hal Urban, parent, award-winning teacher, and author of the classic Life's Greatest Lessons, shows us simple and immediate ways that we can use language to change lives, both our own and those around us.

©2004 Hal Urban (P)2004 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Things we need to know

Things we need to know and should remind ourselves of frequently. I enjoyed the content. The narration was too monotone for my taste. It was information that usually motivates and energizes me but the narration drug me down. Probably would have enjoyed book more than audio.

It's Wise Ti Be Nice! ....A Required Reminder.

Most of us probably know, believe and understand that saying 'bad words', not to mention actual 'fighting' in school (or anywhere), is not acceptable behavior for children.

What, then, makes the use of 'bad words' and/or 'fighting' or 'inciting to fight' acceptable for youth or (worse yet) for 'fully-grown' and presumably 'mature' leaders and adults (...and even for television, radio, media, etc.)?

Is it freedom of speech?

Or...

Is it free-to-be-dumb in speech?

Well... If one is free-to-be-dumb, one is also free-to-be-smart in speech (and in the ensuing good deeds that logically follow good and/or smart(er) speech).

This audio (or printed) book is then just the right recipee to help one so inclined to be better and smart(er) in speech.

This book is a valuable reminder of the powerful reasons we have (for everyone at any age) to use good 'positive words' and/or even the power of silence to go through life flowingly and more enjoyably.

This audio book (or its printed version) should be required (minimally yearly, bi-yearly, quarterly or even monthly listening/reading) for ALL teachers, parents, youth and for ALL adults.

And, its teachings and wisdom TAKEN SERIOUSLY because peace and harmony are way more serious, more important and more beneficial than fighting, rage, revenge and super expensive, harmful and needless wars (most of which can be/could have been -definitely- avoided by stopping all the weak, wining, complaining and blaming... similar to what is seen commonly nowadays on all sides of the spectrum, especially among 'so-called' leaders who frequently say, "We are going to 'have to' 'fight' for this! Or, 'fight' for that! Or, 'fight' for 'whatever' crazy nonsense or theme is in-front of the 'so-called' 'leader' at the time!)."

uhhhmmm... First of all, A BIG 'NO'!!!

We don't 'have to' 'fight' for anything, unless 'fighting' is the only thing that our limited-lizard-sized-emotional brain can come up with.

Or, unless the word 'fight'/'fighting' is a 'trigger' word used deliberately by the 'so-called' 'leader' to manipulate the well-meaning masses (aka: sometimes voters) to pretty-much cause them to 'blindly' and 'emotionally' 'join' the 'so-called' 'leader's real-and-probably-financially-beneficial-to-the-so-called-leader-only-agenda or the (sometimes 'patriotic', 'save-the-country'/'poor-us'/'let's-prepare-and-defend-like-Don-Quijote', 'flag-waving') 'false-leader's 'cause'.

Unfortunately, many, many, many of the people who think and say 'fighting' words are (supposedly) 'highly-educated', in positions of 'leadership' and/or 'influence' sometimes even with 'rank', 'seniority', 'wealth', 'prestige' and/or (college/prestigious-university) 'degrees' of all sorts!

How sad, shameful and harmful! ...How forgetful of the common courtesy that was taught in kindergarden! And... (please excuse the frustration)... How 'ignorant'!!!

Unfortunately also, as 'leaders' or 'influencers' in/of society, these same people have thousands (and sometimes millions) of 'empty-minded-not-self-thinking' 'followers' and 'devotees' who are willing to sometimes (try to) cowardly 'bully' and/or 'intimidate' others (usually those perceived by these 'cowardly bullies' as 'the little guy'/'gal'/'person') and even die for the highly-likely 'false' causes created by their 'scam-earned-wealthy' or their 'highly-educated' or 'highly-experienced' (but frankly 'Super-Dumb' or 'evil') 'leader(s)'/'professional(s)'.

It's time for humanity (via each individual) to grow up, wise up and stop glorifying wars and fighting (as well as dumb and empty-minded leaders that encourage the "war" or the "fight" mentality) as a way to make progress.

But, let's do continue to honor those who did die "fighting" for a better world.

But, if we continue fighting and dying for 'any' reason, then those who died 'fighting' for a better world then died for nothing!!! ...especially if we NOW continue fighting and/or killing each other UNNECESSARILY in wars that could have been replaced by collaborative, life-lifting/life-giving and life-encouraging projects where everyone wins!!!

We humans are so advanced in so many fields. ...except in being able to choose what we all CLEARLY want (and have always wanted and even 'fought for' and/or even 'died for'),,, which is peace, collaboration, harmony and healthy, steady growth, especially for children and for future generations.

"Bad words" (aka: demeaning, degrading, challenging-to-a-fight, taunting, enciting, boasting, discouragibg, disrespectful, cowardly words), fighting and wars are the super-super-super-expensive and THEEEE dumbest of all choices.

In contrast, the peace, harmony, tranquil living and thriving environments that come from positivity, all beginning with calm, good, logical and genuinely wellness-intended thoughts and expressed with 'GOOD WORDS', mutually-respectful, kind, encouraging and grateful, ideally-graceful phrases and deeds are all FREE!!!

There are many, many many LARGE AND EVER-COMPOUNDING benefits that come from using kind, respectful, encouraging, grateful and positive thoughts/words/phrases/deeds and language and ZERO negative side effects.

This audio or printed book reminds us why.

...And, "Yes", we do need to be reminded.

"It's Wise To Be Nice!"

If in doubt, just watch the news!

Enlightening and Though provoking

Outstanding book to remind you of the important things in life. I implemented the "Family Fun Night" and have been having a ball every since. My family really looks forward to it and we enjoy the time together. I am very thankful for the reminders and ways to improve my life.

Amazing

I never write reviews yet I feel I must for this book. It provides such uplifting advice. I feel I am a better daughter, mother, friend for listening to this book.

Reassurance

If you don’t have any positive people in your life, be the positive person. Don’t complain, don’t explain.

Good book to start improving relationship

The book deals mainly with positive expressions and positive approach to problem. If you have not read "How to win Friends and Influence People" or "7 Habits of Highly effective people", then this book would be useful. Otherwise there is nothing new or game changing in this book. It is a inspirational book on positive approach.

Have you thought how your words affect other people?

Recently I invited a man to join me to go to a lecture on a new health and athletic technology hoping to help him. To my surprise he used raw language as he spoke to me in conversation. It made me feel disrespected as we are both in our 60's and I assumed a man would watch the flow of his words. I wondered why it bothered me and stuck with me over the days. Why did I feel for lack of a better word "icky". My husband doesn't talk like that and it's not like we are prudes. So coincidently I had just downloaded the audio version of this book Positive Words, Powerful Results. It validated the fact that raw language is so negative and useless. If everyone young or old would read this book and put in practice the positive words and statements Hal Urban has written we would have the power to influence our kids from the day they come into this world. I love his greetings!

great story

great comunicator, a clear message from the author about how words have changed his world and the worlds of others by being aware of it

A MUST READ FOR SOCIETY!!!

This book changed my life. I never realized that almost all of my unhapiness in life was caused by my negative outlook and response to life. This book gives detailed steps you can take immediately to make your life and other's more positive and thus more enjoyable. I really thought I was a positive person until I read this book.

I also realized some of the mistakes I was making in my daily conversations that were pushing people away from me. This book made me feel high with happiness for weeks after reading it and affected everone I recommended it to in the same way. If I had the money, I would buy a copy for every one.

This was one of the best books I have ever read on personal devolopment besides "The seven habits of Highly Effective people" by Stephen Covey.

If you want to be happy in life, read these two books!

Impactful

Loved this book. Basically a template for spreading respect and kindness for your fellow human beings.