It's Springtime – the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and love is in the air. Here's a question to consider: How much love and gratitude are you sending to yourself?
An internationally renowned researcher named Masaru Emoto spent 20 years studying the structure of water at the moment of freezing, analyzing and photographing the varying types of crystals that water forms when frozen. His amazing research reveals that when water is exposed to beautiful music, clean and pure conditions, or kind words, beautiful and well-organized crystals form when it freezes. On the other hand, when water is exposed to harsh music, city conditions and chlorination, or unkind words, the crystals are chaotic, unorganized, and misshapen.
After testing water from large cities compared to water from natural sources, one of his fellow researchers had the idea to test music with the water. They sat a bottle of distilled water on a table with speakers on either side of it, and analyzed the crystals formed after playing different music. Water exposed to violent heavy metal music formed misshapen, fragmented crystals. Water exposed to classical music created well-formed crystals with different characteristics based on the qualities of the music itself.
Lastly, they decided to see what effect, if any, words could have on the crystals. Emoto says that “It didn’t seem logical for water to 'read' the writing, understand the meaning, and change its form accordingly. But I knew from the experiment with music that strange things could happen. The results of the experiments didn’t disappoint us. Water exposed to 'Thank you' formed beautiful hexagonal crystals but water exposed to the word 'Fool' produced crystals similar to the water exposed to heavy-metal music, malformed and fragmented. I particularly remember one photograph. It was the most beautiful and delicate crystal that I had so far seen – formed by being exposed to the words “love and gratitude.” It was as if the water had rejoiced and celebrated by creating a flower in bloom. It was so beautiful that I can say that it actually changed my life from that moment on.”
Here's the thing. Our bodies are 70% water!! Infants' bodies are 90% water! Consider what this means. Ask yourself what kind of words you speak – with yourself and with others. What would happen if you started whispering “thank you” or “I love you” silently to yourself instead of whatever unkind things you perhaps typically say?
Words are important. They carry weight. We all know this intuitively, but this research gives us a clear picture of exactly how meaningful they are.
Consider taking time to really notice what words you're using. Cultivate the ability to be grateful. To show yourself love and gratitude in small ways – start by just whispering “thank you” to yourself, to your body. Or “I love you” if that resonates more with you. Once you've developed this ability, let the gratitude and love overflow to the people in your life. But start with yourself. That's the hardest and most powerful place to begin.
Sending you gratitude and love on this sunny spring day.
** If you're interested in learning more, Emoto wrote many books, including NY Times Bestseller, The Hidden Messages in Water. Also check out his website, if you want to see more of the amazing photographs.