Both "invalidation" and "strokes" are aspects of non-neutral judgment. Invalidation is a form of negative judgment, while strokes involve non-neutral positive judgment. It is the goal of the Spiritual Warrior to avoid both these forms of judgment, and to offer validation instead: that state of simply naming what-is. Remember that naming what-is does not just involve what we perceive as "good" things, we can name anything. What is, is what is. There is no good or bad. Validation is stating what is without judgment. On your spiritual path, it is important to take steps toward being conscious with your actions and your energy.
You are a spiritual being in a body developing your consciousness. You are, however, also responsible for what you do with your energy even if you are not conscious of it. Cultivating self-responsibility is the intention. The reality is that you can do anything you want, but you may be setting up a karmic consequence with your choices. If you are unconscious of something, it is difficult to work from that place of highest integrity.
Paying attention to how you use words and language is a part in becoming more conscious. People can make jokes and put out the picture that "it's all in good fun", when the true intent behind their words is to throw invalidation. The individual needs to be aware of that. All communication is energy first, the words simply accompany the energy. You can throw energy without using words, but people use them intentionally to make the message more potent so that other bodies will get it. Remember, people can use words to heal or to harm.
It is very simple to go out into the world and throw words around without having any level of integrity behind them. The Spiritual Warrior is always taking steps toward a greater awareness of how he/she is using his/her energy and words. As Spiritual Warriors, we want to use our words for healing. There are more than enough individuals using words as weapons. We want to be noble with our words. We have a choice to use words of healing and support, of love. Remember, whatever you put out into the universe is what you are going to receive back, karmically. If you want love and support, why not put that out?
Words are powerful because they support the energy. Some people put out words all day long that harm. In doing so, they are creating a huge amount of karma that will need to be cleaned up later. If you like something and are in support of it, have your words reflect that. Be aware if you are damaging it because you are not working from a level of highest integrity. Remembering this does not mean that you stay in a state of "nice" all the time. It means staying in a state of validation. You can name anything that is going on from a state of validation.
As human beings we have the gift of words. Pick the words that support, pick the words that empower. Gossip, for example, is like spreading poison. The intent is to harm; the intent is to destroy. People accept it because it is so prevalent. Gossip does not use your powerful spiritual tools in a way that is about healing. As Spiritual Warriors, we want to be a positive force in the world, sharing light and shedding light and healing, not creating wounds and creating more dysfunction for the planet.
Be aware of humour because it can be a dangerous weapon if the joke is really about invalidation and damage. Remember, even if you do not care about the people you are invalidating through your words and actions, you will have created karma and the invalidation you put out will eventually return to you. You need to heal it or live it out. You are making a bigger healing project or you are creating hell for yourself. The goal is to be clear with your words.
What you put out, you receive back. If you want love, put out love; if you want truth, put out truth. Take notice of the things you are putting out that are not what you want returned. You are powerful and the more spiritual work you do the more powerful you become and your word becomes. You must be responsible and clear with the intent behind your words. The intent is to grow.
