I’ve often heard the phrase, “breaking a/the generational curse(s)” and it makes me think about how the language around this phrase should be changed. Why should it change or even matter to anyone? Well, I think that your words have power and if you give power to negativity, then what else is there for you to manifest? Why is it even called a generational curse? What is a generational curse?

A generational curse is something [I would imagine negative] that has been passed down from generation to generation. I’ve often heard to it referred to some bad trait or habit that multiple generations of people in a family have suffered through and (apparently) no one has been able to stop from happening. I’ve heard this in reference to all sorts of things like women in a family becoming pregnant in their teens, even going to jail. These among a litany of others are what I’ve heard being referred to as a generational curse. I think one of the first things one can do is acknowledge the behavior(s) or action(s) you want to change.

The next step is to make intentional efforts to do something different. It can be that simple. Each day be intentional about what you do, particularly if the pattern is something you want to change. Be kind to yourself and watch the language you use.

Words have power and you have to mindful of what you give your power to. Saying you are setting out to break a generational curse sounds like a daunting task and for some people, it can be too much to handle. You want to position yourself for success, not going out to slay a dragon. It is a pattern that you do not like and you’re taking steps to change it. I’m sure that sounds differently than breaking a generational curse. Anyone can change a pattern right?

The point is you want to be successful. You want this to work, so set yourself up for success. Change that pattern, take steps to move yourself in the direction you want to go everyday and before you know it, you’ll get there. Be consistent and continue to do it even when its hard and you don’t want to. In fact, lean in more during the times you feel hit the hardest. When you come out on the other side, you’ll be amazed at what you were able to accomplish.

Doing all these things like being kind to yourself, being consistent, changing your language are all tools to get you to your destination. You can do this with anything, not just changing familial patterns. Maybe you want to lose weight, start a business, or start a new career. All these things require the same recipe; changing your language, being kind to yourself, taking intentional steps to do something different, and consistency. Life if challenging enough, so to the extent you can do things to make tackling each day a bit easier for yourself do it because the goal is to accomplish your dreams, not struggle to reach them.