most recent 30 from http://www.inwardquest.com 2010-09-09T23:25:34Z http://www.inwardquest.com/feeds/tag/influence%2bspiritual-growth http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.inwardquest.com/questions/978/are-the-labels-we-use-to-describe-and-define-ourselves-and-each-other-helpful-in John 2009-10-21T08:13:15Z 2009-10-22T21:31:54Z

<p>Is there any kind of power at work in using a person's name or assigning labels to people?</p> <p>Using the name of a spirit is thought to invoke that spirit. Does naming something give us some measure of control over it? When we use a person's name in conversing with them, is there any kind of psychological or spiritual power or influence in it? What about labels? When we call someone a thief or a liar, for example, is that a helpful designation, or does it bring about negative effects?</p> <p>An old friend of mine, years ago, hugged his cute little daughter and said, "This one is my princess!" Then casting a glance toward his troublemaker son, said, "That one is going to end up in prison!" He did! Was that a self-fulfilling prophecy? If so, what forces or influences are at work in using labels like that?</p>