There was a time when the words I spoke sounded a lot like the world. “Follow your heart.” “Do what makes you happy.” “You’ve got this.”
But somewhere along the way, I realized those phrases, as beautiful as they sound, were built on shifting sand.
For so long, I believed my job as a hairstylist was to make people feel good. Behind the chair, I poured out encouragement like confetti—positive affirmations, pep talks, little phrases meant to brighten someone’s day.
But as I walked through my own seasons of grief, motherhood, leadership, and growth, I started to see how fragile those words were. They didn’t hold when life got heavy. They didn’t sustain me when my own heart broke.
That realization changed everything—not just what I believe, but how I speak.
Now, my encouragement has roots. It’s not just feel-good language anymore; it’s faith-filled truth.
Key Themes + Takeaways
The power of language: Our words carry weight—behind the chair, at home, and within ourselves.
Truth vs. trends: The world’s language often sounds empowering but fades quickly; truth remains steady.
Faith-led leadership: Encouragement doesn’t mean glossing over pain—it means validating it and pointing back to hope.
Transformation through awareness: Growth often sounds like changing the way we speak—to others and to ourselves.
Favorite Quotes
“I didn’t want to offer comfort that faded by morning—I wanted to speak something that would actually root her.”
“Encouragement rooted in truth doesn’t ignore the hard. It validates it and then points back to hope.”
“Maybe you’re not losing your voice—you’re refining it.”
“Toxic positivity pushes people to perform; truth-led encouragement invites them to grow.”
“Happiness fades, feelings shift—but truth remains.”
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Words built on shifting sand
01:16 — The moment I caught myself mid-sentence
02:41 — Learning to speak with roots, not trends
04:25 — When grief taught me what really comforts
05:42 — Truth that meets you in the middle
06:45 — Leadership that’s real, not performative
08:07 — Refining your voice and choosing truth
09:08 — A prayer to stay grounded in peace and purpose
Your Turn
This week’s reflection: What words have you been speaking over your own life lately—are they rooted in truth or in trend?
Take a quiet moment to listen for peace instead of noise, to speak life instead of filler, and to remember: your words shape the atmosphere you live in.
💛 Let’s Stay Connected
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Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessica_hustleandheartsalon/
Podcast blog → https://hustleandheartsalon.com/blog/
Salon home → https://hustleandheartsalon.com/
