Abracadabra: I Create as I Speak

Hi. Welcome back to the Aging Mask Podcast. A lifestyle medicine podcast where together we  explore lifestyle, wellness, and our everyday choices that shape the way we age.

I am Joanne Demers

Your weekly wellness companion.

Thank you for listening.

What do you think of  when I say Abracadabra?

Do you immediately think of a magician standing on stage waiving his wand, and performing magic? 

 A word used to represent magic, mystery, & entertainment?

Or did you immediately think of the famous abracadabra song  by Steve Miller-who used the word to express something spellbound or irresistible?

Either way, most of us do associate the word abracadabra with magic, mystery and entertainment. 

BUT what if I told you that long before magicians and musicians  borrowed the word- Abracadabra carried a much deeper meaning? 

For centuries , Abracadabra was actually associated with the power of language and the belief that words possess influence & power.

Abracadabra means …

“ I create as I speak.”

Think about that..

“I create as I speak.

Not create in a magical sense.

But create through beliefs.

Through perception

Through identity

And through our everyday choices.

Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly creating something with our words.

We are creating stories and expectations, and we are creating limitations or possibilities.

We are creating the way we see ourselves and the way we move through the world.

Think about it this way…

Before we become anything we speak about it first.

Our words are not just sounds coming out of our mouths but forces that help shape our beliefs, our actions, our confidence, our relationships and ultimately our lives.  

So today, we are going to explore abracadabra not as magic, and not lyrics, but as a reminder that what we repeatedly speak, our words, Influence the person we become.

It’s funny think about words.

Words don’t weigh anything

You can’t hold them in your hands

You can’t measure them on a scale

Yet, words have the power to change the course of your life.

Now, does science prove that we can magically create our lives simply by speaking something out loud?

NO.

BUT.

It does show that the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves influence how we think, how we act, and how we respond to challenges.

What gives words their power is not their sound, but the impact they have on our mind.

The words we use internally shape the direction we move in.

 Overtime, our words influence our confidence, motivation and our willingness to engage with challenge or change.

This is not because words directly produce outcomes- but because they contribute to our internal mindset that determines whether we approach life with avoidance or engagement.

Words help you create the person who will either moves forward toward possibility,  or away from it.

Pursue the outcome or avoid it.

I don’t think most of us realize how often we predict  our own future with the words we use.

The words we speak determine whether we move toward something, or away from something.

Possibility Matters- Possibility matters because when we believe growth is possible, we tend to take action.

·   We try

·   We practice

·   We learn

And

·   We improve

Our words become the doorway through which action enters.. a lot of us unknowingly close that door to action before we even take the first step.

Every day we are speaking something over our lives.

A possibility

Or A limitation.

A door opening

Or a door closing.

And more often than not. We dont realize which one we are choosing until years down the road -when we look back and see where those words have taken us.

Now, let me be clear.. when I say
“words create our reality”- it’s not about magical thinking, we can’t simple sayabracadabra and make it appear or disappear…

*words don’t change the weather

*they don’t erase challenges

*And words don’t magically make life easy.

But our words definitely influence how we experience the world around us.

Words influence thought

Thought influences behavior

and

Behavior influences outcomes

Abracadabra, “I create as I speak”. Maybe the real meaning isn’t  that words magically create our lives. Maybe, it’s that our words help create the person who creates our life.

And that person is You.

Please, please understand that words possess power, a lot of power. And even more than words, repetition is powerful.

I think a lot of us underestimate how powerful repeated words really are.

What we repeatedly say becomes what we repeatedly believe, and what we repeatedly believe, influences what we repeatedly do.

And overtime, repetition shapes our perceptions, influences our expectations, and reinforces the stories we tell ourselves about who we are  and what is possible.

Our mind pays attention to what it hears all the time. And  once your mind absorbs  repetition, especially emotional repetition, your brain listens, your nervous system listens, your relationship listens, kids  listen, and even your body listens -then your mind & body respond to the emotional environment you created by your words.

It is a fact that our thoughts, attitude, and perceptions influence our stress levels, our motivation and our overall well-being.

It is a fact that our thoughts, attitude, and perceptions influence our stress levels, our motivation and our overall well-being.

Every day we are speaking ourselves toward growth or toward limitation.

So keep in mind.. that whatever we hear repeatedly begins to feel familiar, and whatever feels familiar to us begins to feel true.

This is why awareness matters.

One of the biggest lessons hidden inside the idea of abracadabra is awareness.

Most of us are completely unaware of the words that are coming out of our mouths. Maybe, we think they are harmless, funny, self-deprecating, but as they get repeated over and over again- they begin to shape how we see ourselves.

One of the most valuable skills we can develop is becoming aware of our words.

So many people speak on auto pilot so they don’t realize how often they criticize themselves- how often they predict failure.

Being aware of your words allows you to take a second and ask: is that true? Or is this just simply a story I’ve been repeating?

Sometimes we just become so familiar with our own language  that we stop hearing it. Being aware helps you listen again.

If abracadabra  means  “ I create as I speak “-Awareness is the moment we begin listening to what we are creating.

Another powerful aspect of words are their ability to shape identity.

I think this is a very important part of today’s topic.

Identity is powerful.- it may be the most powerful thing words create. and words are one of the primary ways identity is formed and reinforced.

The words we repeat become the stories we believe.  The stories we believe become the identities we carry. And the identities we carry help shape the lives we live.

Before I wrap up..

I have something for you to think about.

Now you know that your words are building your future self, what kind of person are you creating?

Are you creating courage or fear?

Possibility or limitation?

Growth or stagnation?

Hope or defeat?

Remember: everyday whether you realize it or not, you are speaking something over your life, you are rehearsing a story and  reinforcing your identity.

Abracadabra. “I create as I speak.”

 is  our reminder that words  matter. not through magic. 

But through..

The words we speak to ourselves 

The words we speak to others

The words we repeat every day.

They all matter. They create our identity and they unknowingly help build other peoples identities.

While words may not create a magical reality, they absolutely help shape the way we experience it.

Remember

Words create identity

And Identity creates action

And action creates a future.

So notice the words you repeat

 and  Notice the labels you carry.

I have personally witnessed the power behind the word “abracadabra, and it has made me more aware of one simple fact:

What we repeatedly speak- we do create- and begin to live.

The takeaway for today is:  Abracadabra is not just a word. It’s a reminder  of the power of words. 

 So, just a friendly reminder..

Be aware of the words coming out of your mouth.

Enjoy!

Joanne Demers

The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast

(949) 236-1529

Follow along on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hi, welcome back to the Aging Mass Podcast, a lifestyle medicine podcast where together we explore lifestyle, wellness, and our everyday choices that shape the way we age. I am Joanne Demurs, your weekly wellness companion. Thank you for listening today. I greatly appreciate you. I hope your day is going well. What do you think of when I say the word abracadabra? Do you immediately think of a magician standing on a stage waving his wand and performing magic? A word used to represent magic, mystery, and entertainment? Or did you immediately think of the famous abracadabra song by Steve Miller, who used the word abracadabra to express something spellbound or irresistible? Abra, abracadabra, I want to reach out and grab you. That song's so catchy, I like it. Either way, most of us do associate the word abracadabra with magic, mystery, and entertainment. But what if I told you that long before magicians and musicians borrowed the word, abracadabra carried a much deeper meaning. For centuries, abracadabra was actually associated with the power of language and the belief that words possess influence and power. Abracadabra means I create as I speak. Think about that. I create as I speak. Not create in a magical sense, but create through beliefs, through perception, through identity, and through our everyday choices. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly creating something with our words. We are creating stories and expectations, and we are creating limitations or possibilities. We are creating the way that we see ourselves and the way that we move through the world. Think about it this way. Before we become anything, we speak about it first, right? Our words are not just sounds coming out of our mouths, but they're forces that help shape our beliefs, our actions, our confidence, our relationships, and ultimately our lives. So today we are going to explore abracadabra, not as magic and not as lyrics, but as a reminder that what we repeatedly speak, our words, influence the person we become. Now, where did this idea of abracadabra come from? Well, let me tell you, but in order to do that, we have to travel back in time. Centuries ago, the word abracadabra, I create as I speak, was believed to be a powerful word connected to healing, protection, and the idea that words had the power to shape reality. Not necessarily supernatural power, but power to influence reality, belief, emotion, and action. And its origin remains somewhat of a mystery, which is very fitting for a word that has perplexed us for so long. One of the earliest known references dates back 2000 plus years ago. There was a Roman doctor who wrote about abracadabra as a protective amulet. And an amulet, it's like a charm that you wear around your neck. And this doctor wrote the word abracadabra in a triangular pattern. And he did this and removed one letter at a time until only one single letter remained. So in this triangular shape, he wrote at the bottom abracadabra, and as he went up, he removed one letter. Okay, you can picture that, right? The belief of this charm was that as the word diminished, so would illness and misfortune. It was worn as a protection. And over time, the word gradually became linked with mystery, healing, rituals, and ancient beliefs about the power of words. And whether this amulet actually worked is beside the point. What matters is what people believed about words. Ancient cultures understood something that we overlooked today, and that is that words were never viewed as ordinary. They were viewed as meaningful. Words were used in prayer, blessings, promises, and words were used to comfort, encourage, heal, teach, and unite. Words had influence. And centuries later, magicians and entertainers adopted the word because it sounded so mysterious, magical, and powerful. And as you know, eventually it became one of the most recognizable words in stage magic and entertainment. And the ironic part of this is that the original idea behind abracadabra is more relevant today than ever before. While most of us don't wear the amulet around our necks anymore, we're still speaking thousands of words every day. And some of these words we speak move us forward, some of them hold us back, some words create possibility, and others create limitation. It's funny to think about words. Words, they're it's interesting because words don't weigh anything, you can't hold them in your hands, you can't measure them on a scale, yet words have the power to change the course of your entire life. Now, does science prove that we can magically create our lives simply by speaking something out loud? No. But it does show that stories we repeatedly tell ourselves influence how we think, how we act, and how we respond to challenges. What gives words their power is not their sound, but the impact they have on our mind. The words that we use internally shape the direction that we move in. Over time, our words influence our confidence, our motivation, and our willingness to engage with challenge or change. And this isn't because words directly produce outcomes, but because they contribute to our internal mindset that determines whether we approach life with avoidance or engagement. Words help you create the person who will either move forward toward possibility or away from it, pursue the outcome or avoid it. So words of possibility affect us differently than words of limitation. Keep that, excuse me, keep that in mind. And I don't think most of us realize how often we predict our own future with the words that we use. The words we speak determine whether we move towards something or away from something. And I'm sure you've noticed how differently we all speak about ourselves. Listen to this difference. Listen, listen, listen. I may say, I could never do that. I'm too old. I'm so fat and out of shape. I am not smart. While you say, I haven't tried that yet. Age is just a number. I could move my body more. I don't know how to do that yet. Do you see the difference? The difference is so subtle, but neither person is guaranteeing success and neither is denying reality. But one is speaking limitations while the other is speaking possibility. Possibility matters. Possibility matters because when we believe growth is possible, we tend to take action. We try, we practice, we learn, and we improve. Our words become the doorway through which action enters. And a lot of us unknowingly close that door to action before we even take the first step. Every day, every day we are speaking something over our lives. Could be a possibility or a limitation, a door opening or a door closing. And more often than not, we don't realize which one we are choosing until years down the road when we look back and see where those words have taken us. Words create our reality. Now let me be clear. When I say words create our reality, it's not about magical thinking. We can't simply say abracadabra and make it appear or disappear, which would be great. Words don't change the weather, they don't erase challenges, and words don't magically make life easy. But our words definitely influence how we experience the world around us. Words influence thought, thought influences behavior, and behavior influences outcomes. Imagine the two of us facing the same challenge. I say to you, I'll never get through this. And you say, This is so difficult for me, but I'm gonna figure it out. Which one of us is more likely to keep keep um trying? Which one of us is more likely to keep trying? Which one of us is more likely to look for a solution? You are. You are abracadabra. I create as I speak. Maybe the real meaning isn't that words magically create our lives. Maybe it's that our words help create the person who creates our life. And that person is you. Please, please, please understand out of anything I'm saying today, that words possess power. A lot of power. And even more than words, repetition is powerful. And I think again, a lot of us underestimate how powerful repeated words really are. What we repeatedly say becomes what we repeatedly believe. And what we repeatedly believe influences what we repeatedly do. I'm going to repeat that, okay? What we repeatedly say becomes what we repeatedly believe. And what we repeatedly believe influences what we repeatedly do. And over time, repetition shapes our perception, it influences our expectations, and it reinforces the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what is possible. Our minds pay attention to what it hears all the time. And once your mind absorbs repetition, especially emotional repetition, your brain listens, your nervous system listens, your relationships listen, and your kids listen, even your bodies listen, then your mind and body respond to the emotional environment that you have created by your words. It is a fact that our thoughts, attitude, and perceptions influence our stress levels, our motivation, and our overall well-being. The voice that we hear most is our own. So please pay attention to what that voice is saying because again, every day we are speaking ourselves toward growth or toward limitation. So keep in mind that whatever we hear repeatedly begins to feel familiar, and whatever feels familiar to us begins to feel true. And this is why awareness matters. One of the biggest lessons hidden inside of the idea of abracadabra is awareness. Most of us are completely unaware of the words that are coming out of our mouths. And maybe we think they're harmless, funny, they could be self-deprecating, but as they get repeated over and over and over again, they begin to shape how we see ourselves. One of the most valuable skills that we can develop is becoming aware of our words. So many people speak on autopilot, so they don't realize how often they criticize themselves or how often they predict failure for themselves. Being aware of your words allows you to take a second and ask yourself, is that true or is this just simply a story that I've been repeating? Sometimes we just become so familiar with our own language that we stop hearing it. Being aware helps you listen again. If abracadabra means I create as I speak, awareness is the moment we begin listening to what we are creating. And another really powerful aspect of words are their ability to shape identity. And I think this is a very important part of today's topic. Identity is powerful, just like words. It actually may be the most powerful thing that words create. And words are one of the primary ways identity is formed and reinforced. Over time, the words we use become more than just communication, they become self-definition. Words shape how we see ourselves, what we believe we are capable of, and the roles that we assume in our lives. And this is why identity matters so much. We behave in ways that align with how we see ourselves, with who we believe we are. If you believe that you are unhealthy, you will probably make unhealthy choices that reflect that identity. And if you believe you are capable of doing great things, you are more likely to act in ways that support growth, learning, and progress. The words we repeat become the stories we believe. And the stories we believe become the identities we carry. And the identities we carry shape the lives that we leave, that we live. Sometimes people want to leave them. Now, before I wrap up, I have something for you to think about. Now that you know that your words are building your future self, what kind of person are you creating? Are you creating courage or are you creating fear? Possibility or limitation? Growth or stagnation, or hope or defeat? Which one are you creating? And remember, every day, whether you realize it or not, you are speaking something over your life. You are rehearsing a story and reinforcing your identity. Abracadabra, I create as I speak is our reminder that words matter, not through magic, but through the words that we speak to ourselves, the words we speak to others, and the words we repeat every day. They all matter. They all matter, they create our identity and they unknowingly help build other people's identity. And while words may not create a magical reality, they absolutely help shape the way that we experience it. Remember this. Remember this. Words create identity, and identity creates action, and action creates a future. So notice the words you repeat and notice the labels that you carry. I have personally witnessed the power behind the word abracadabra, and it has made me more aware of one simple fact. What we repeatedly speak, we do create and begin to live. Yeah, I've per I have personally lived and breathed abracadabra. Now, the takeaway for today is that abracadabra is not just a word, it's a reminder of the power of words. So, friendly reminder, be aware of the words coming out of your mouth. That's all I have for today. Thank you for listening. Until next week, live in gratitude and go live your best day yet. Enjoy. If you enjoyed this episode and just can't wait to hear and learn more, don't forget to subscribe to the Aging Mask, a lifestyle medicine podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts. And I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. So please leave a review on the Aging Mask Instagram. Or if you don't have socials or you're taking a break, feel free to text me at the Aging Mask 949 236 1529. We can talk about this episode or any of my prior episodes. Let's have a conversation. I'm here and I'm ready to listen, and I would love to help where I can. Bye.