CanadaCraig's Christmas Message 2009

[CanadaCraig]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hi Everyone!!

It has been said that....

"Sticks and stones may break your bones
But words will never hurt you."

Sadly....

Most of us know from experience - that THAT is NOT the TRUTH.

In fact - WORDS can hurt more than anything else. They have the power to harm us in a way that goes SO deep into who we are and how are feel about ourselves - that we live with that hurt for a lifetime.

When we are a kid - we lack the capacity to appreciate that what someone might say to us - or about us - does not always have anything to do with who WE are. Kids take practically everything personally. If a kid has been subjected to the abuse of his or her self esteem by words - they will always be especially sensitive to what people SAY about them. Even when they're all grown up. That 'hurt' is an open wound - and anything that even gets near it - causes us to flinch - to pull back - to recoil. Some of us deal with that hurt by trying to gain the favour of those who hurt us in the first place. Perhaps by being 'perfect'. Some of us try to protect that 'open wound' by gaining weight or by numbing ourselves to the pain by [mis]using alcohol, drugs or sex. [Or maybe all of those things] The number of ways we can try to protect ourselves form that hurt is limited only by our imagination.

But none of those ways work.

The only way to heal those wounds is to attack the very thing that caused them in the first place. We must replace those negative words with positive words.

Now many of you [IF you're anything like ME] will have little faith in the power of the positive. Negative - to us - seems more 'real'. So much so that we're all but convinced that anything positive is a fantasy. If anyone says anything positive about YOU - it probably feels like a LIE. And that's perfectly understandable. But the part of you that has more faith in the negative is the 'kid' in you. It is that 'child within' that is convinced that all of those negative messages were the truth. Children have amazing stubborn egos - and it's often difficult to get them change their minds. But because YOU are the 'grown up' now - it is that 'child within' that YOU are going to have to convince. The 'grown up' you [Or the 'adult you'] will respond to positive talk as if it is silly. But I assure you - that child within you is starving to hear those wonderful, affirming, positive words. So for that child's sake [That child within YOU] let 'it' KNOW that 'it' is special and valuable and important. Let 'it' KNOW that 'it' is smart and has tremendous potential to make 'its' dreams come true. And most importantly - keep reminding that 'child' that he or she is LOVED.

You already KNOW just how power negative words can be - does it not stand to reason that positive words might be just as powerful?!

I SAY YES!!

Not quite sure about that?!

The next time you are given the opportunity to say something encouraging and positive to a child [And those opportunities come up all the time - you just have look for them] try it - and see for yourself the effect it has on that child. That is the exact same effect positive words will have on YOUR little child. It will take some time for those changes to take effect - of course. Those 'open wounds' have been around for a long time now [Most likely] So be patient - but never give up. Love never quits. So love yourself enough to never give up on YOU.

And start the New Year off with vowing to love yourself - to love that 'child within'. And BE the source of love that your 'inner child' so desperately needs - and deserves.

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig

[tk338]

I thought... That was very awesome, and it really made ME think! You should do things like this more often

[Nicola]

Well aren't you just lovely.
This was just awesome, Craig.
One of my New Years Resolutions is to be more positive and this is certainly going to help towards that. xD

[iHEAVENn]

Craig I love you. (in that brother sister kinda way lol!)
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and look forward to more of your posts in the future!

[Xujhan]

And a merry Christmas to you too, Craig.

[hopefaithlove]

I love you Craig! Thank you for that beautiful message <3. I hope that YOU take that to heart as well and that you have an awesome holiday!

[TheLittleNinja]

Craig - Your words are simply beautiful. They are the words that everyone around the world needs to hear at this time of year. Like others have said - they have also made me stop and think - I shall be trying out most of what you have said.

Thank-You.
And have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS yourself.
Take Care.
x

[Katrina]

What a simple, lovely message. (:
Thanks for sharing!

[Magic.]

That was so lovely to read, thank you Craig
Have a fantastic Christmas!! X

[Mel]

That's definitely a great message you have there, Craig. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I hope you also have safe and happy holidays.

[✖Ice✖]

Happy Holidays Craig to you and your family.

[Rob]

A very thoughtful message as always Craig! I always look forward to reading your Christmas messages each year, though I think we might have missed you last year because of the downtime. I hope you have a happy Christmas!

[TheBabyEater]

=] That was inspiring. I'm pretty sure there's not one person on all of TH who hasn't heard and doesn't completely adore you. hahah in a totally not creepy kind of way. I think I do sound rather creepy too often... Awkward....
Oh well. It's your own fault for being to.. um... good? lol =P

[Paddy]

Craig?
Word's can't put into word's, how much you've helped me and other users on teen help.
Your an amazing man, and a TRUE gentleman!

I hope you have a FANTASTIC Christmas, and a happy new year craig.

all the best. paddy

[Briana]

Craig, that was great to read. I know this is lame, but it brought tears to my eyes, since that hits home hard for me.I will probably be saving that message somewhere. SO, craig, thank you, I think you just helped one more person, today. Merry Christmas.

[honeycake]

i'm going to show my boyfriend this because he's had to many hurtful things said to him that it's made him quiet and scared of people,

ty Craig Merry Christmas

[Josh!]

craig: i now know what my new years resolution is going to be!
this post really hit close to home for me and i just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate it.

i hope you have a wonderful new year and happy holidays.

[losing touch.]

Craig, you're a legend.

Merry Christmas to you, have a good one.. and i wish you all the health and happiness in the world for 2010.

[Casey.]

Craig, I absolutely love it when you post messages like this, you should so do it more often.This message is so awesome and true, and it hit home for me.Thank you, and have a good holiday Craig. <3

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Everyone!!

I hope you're enjoying that often awkward time between Christmas and New Year's!! lol

Thanks for all of the wonderful responses to my 'Christmas Message'. I truly [As in really!! lol] appreciate it!!

With a little editing - it could be turned into an 'article'!! [hint! hint!] Or even just a 'sticky'!! Oh yeah!!

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

[Concrete Angel]

Hey Craig!!
Thanks for sharing! That was very thoughtful of you!! Have loads of fun too!!
Love you!!
xx

[Emily.]

I just read this today and it is pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing your words with us Craig, you help a lot of people around here.

<3 Emily

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Kaveri and Emily!!

[And Joel, Nicola, Amy, Fletcher, Kac, Claire, Katrina, Bryden, Mel, Zack, Rob, Marissa, Paddy, Bri, Jodie, Josh, Elle, and Casey too - of course!! lol]

I appreciate all of the kinds words.

Hey Rob..... I'm sure I must have written a Christmas message for 2008. I'll see if I can find it. And if it's any good - I'll repost it!

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!