When we talk to Clients, it’s always interesting the words they use and, just as important, the meaning and energy – or intent – behind them. And, if that sounds like a strange thing to say, please bear with us. It’ll make sense in a minute. Yes, it will!
For many of us, it’s been a long time since we were at School and Primary School at that. When we were encouraged – or made (!) – to look up words in a dictionary. Find out what they actually meant and, just as important, how to spell them. It was much easier to just use the words everyone around us was using, without ever stopping to ask what they actually meant and whether this reflected what we wanted to say.
So, this week, we’d like to highlight a few words we use every day. Ones we probably don’t think twice about using. And have never stopped to wonder what they actually mean. Here they are:
Hope. Trust. Believe. Know.
We bet these weren’t the words you were expecting…
Let’s see them in action – it’ll probably remind you of those tedious grammar lessons at School, but there is method in our madness (!).
I HOPE we’ll have a great holiday.
I TRUST we’ll have a great holiday.
I BELIEVE we’ll have a great holiday.
I KNOW we’ll have a great holiday.
Don’t just read them. Say them out loud – no one’s listening. As you do so, feel how different the energy – and intent – are behind them.
How different HOPE feels to TRUST.
HOPE has that air of wishful thinking about it. It feels very tentative. Of not being at all sure it’s going to happen. You can almost hear the fingers being crossed as you say it. “Please just let it happen.”
Now compare it with TRUST. It feels much more solid. It’s definitely going to happen. Certain. “There’s no doubt, it’s going to happen.”
Dig out a dictionary and these differences are immediately confirmed.
HOPE is defined as “a wish to have something or for something to happen or be true.” While TRUST is “confidence in and reliance on something.”
If we go back to the examples above, would you prefer to HOPE you’ll have a good holiday or TRUST you will? To have your fingers crossed or be certain?
Which takes us on to BELIEVE and KNOW.
BELIEVE, again, brings with it an air of uncertainty. Of not being 100% sure it’s true, although you’d like to think it is. It doesn’t quite have the wishful thinking feel of HOPE, although you’re still not sure about it.
What about KNOW?
Like TRUST, there’s an immediate feeling of solidity. That you don’t have to think any more about it. It’s definitely going to happen.
So, let’s go back to the dictionary.
BELIEVE is “to be of the opinion that something exists or is a reality, especially when there is no absolute proof.” KNOW “is to be firm in the certainty or truth of something.”
Which neatly takes us back to the question about your holiday.
Would you prefer to BELIEVE you’ll have a good one or KNOW you will?
There can be little doubt that the words we use every day are very powerful, reflecting our intent as we say them. So why not use them much more deliberately to help create the life you desire? To TRUST and KNOW rather than HOPE or BELIEVE.
Having got you thinking, why not make a mental note of every time you use the words HOPE and BELIEVE as you go about your day? Is it just wishful thinking or are you more confident about the outcome?
Can you replace them with TRUST or KNOW? If so, then stop and repeat whatever you’ve just said using TRUST or KNOW instead. Notice how different it feels.
If you’re not confident about the outcome, take a step back and ask yourself why. And, just as important, is there anything you can do to change this?
While this may all sound a little cumbersome to start with, you’ll quickly notice how your energy – and intention – changes as you more consciously decide what you’re going to say. And once you do that, the ball starts to roll.
Change what you’re saying and how you act changes too. And, the best bit, so does the end result.
And, for all of you who say you’re far too busy (!), you’ll quickly notice that TRUSTING and KNOWING are time savers too. Whatever you’re certain about requires no more thought – or worrying (!) – leaving you to get on with the rest of your day. Life really can be that simple, if you allow it to be…
As always, the choice is yours.
Copyright © 2025 Elaine Smart, Smart Holistics. All rights reserved.
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