I have found that you can learn quite a bit about a person by how they express themselves in words and actions (or inaction). As Mark Twain has said, “A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.” The key word is “habitually”. A person who uses negative adjectives habitually that is without pause or cause, I have found to be pessimistic and cynical, whose actions are unnecessary at best and obstructive at worst. In my experiences I have also found that people who are upbeat and use positive adjectives are optimistic, kind, and helpful.
There is a great lesson in observing these behaviors. I have learned to become more aware of how I express myself. I pay attention to my thoughts, my language, and how I behave. In those occasions when I have used off-putting words or made critical comments (more often to myself than to others), I have noticed that my whole disposition echoes my language. That is when I make a concerted effort to backtrack and take it back. I make an effort to remedy the situation and revert to my usual upbeat nature.
I feel my best when I routinely use encouraging and supportive words in my conversations to others (and to myself…especially to myself). How are you expressing yourself? What adjectives do you normally use in your conversations with others and with yourself? How you usually express yourself does have a significant role in shaping who you are.
All rights reserved. ©2016 by A. K. Orobko
Hearts That Care 
Dr. Angi,
What made you switch from one WordPress blog to another??? I’ve been blogging for a while, but I’m fairly clueless about a lot of things. Is this newer site the pay site? Are there added bells and whistles the free sites don’t come with? I noticed that your postings say they are trademarked. How does that work? Please, just tell me if I’m being too nosy.
— YUR
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Hello YUR,
I have 3 blog sites on WordPress…all are free. It was easier just to maintain one than all 3 and I chose to go with the one that reflects the name of my organization, Hearts that Care. Each of the 3 blog sites look different because of the templates I chose. As far is copyright, you can and should add that statement to all your original writing to protect your work, like signing an original artwork. I am NOT a legal expert, so I do not know how it works; except, that it makes people aware you are publishing original work and for public to ask permission from you if they intend to republish more than a quote or 2 from your article. I hope this helps you. And, I it is good to ask these types of questions. Best of luck to you.
With joy and gratitude, Dr. Angi
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It’s odd that you’d deride pessimistic or ‘negative’ attitudes and still quote Mark Twain, who is arguably the father of American cynicism. Language is a very fundamental portion of identity and can likely influence the speaker as much as the listener, I agree. What I resent is the subsequent presupposition that being largely negative in attitude is intrinsically unproductive or ‘obstructive’. I would even go so far as to argue the counter to be true, that those generous in positivity are typically also bound up the micro-world, with larger constructs of substance being alienated by this focus on immediacy.
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I will consider your position, sirbrendanthebold; you make a valid argument. Thank you for your feedback. I believe my positive on being positive is most important when we address ourselves. As far as Mark Twain, I deeply appreciate his cynicism; but, I do not see him as a pessimist. In my “odd” way, I believe there is a distinction between the cynicism (satire) and pessimism (glass half empty). Unfortunately, when I wrote the article, I did lumped the two terms together as synonyms. I am grateful for your perspective and for setting me straight. With joy and gratitude. Dr. Angi
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