Here’s to Peaceful Cliches!

By Doreen Virtue and the Angel Therapy Practitioners®

I love birds. I feed the wild birds in my yard, and even carry a little bag of birdseed in my car to feed sparrows who land near my car in parking lots. So when someone recently said the cliché, “Kill two birds with one stone,” I naturally cringed.

Then I spoke up. With a smile, I gently suggested a more life-affirming alternative: “How about if we ‘Feed two birds with one handful of birdfeed?’ We both laughed, and acknowledged the truth: it’s so important to watch every word that we speak, think, and write . . .including time-honored clichés.

I was discussing this topic with my Angel Therapy Practitioners, and they shared of having similar experiences. In our community, we help each other to become aware of words that we’re using. For instance, we lovingly point-out when someone is using a negative affirmation. Usually they’re unaware of their words and the negative impact they are having.

So, with the help of our community (their names are below), we’ve come up with positive and peaceful alternatives to clichés. Our hope is that this will create additional awareness. . . and perhaps you’ll come up with some of your own alternative clichés!

Old Cliche _________________________________________ New Cliche

Kill two birds with one stone.                                                 Feed two birds with one handful of birdfood.

It’s my savings account                                                          It's my blessings account-there is always money in it

That's a real pain (in the neck)!                                              That's a bit of challenge!

I nearly had a heart attack!                                                     It really made me jump

I'm between a rock and a hard place.                                      I move through life with ease and grace.

'Close' only counts in horseshoes,                                           'Close' also counts in love, family, and friendships.
hand grenades, and atomic bombs...                                        I am open to criticism I am open to positive feedback!

It’s like stealing candy from a baby.                             The sweetness in life IS plentiful for all of our inner- child’s desires!

He’s a few bricks short of a full load                           His possibilities are unlimited and over-flowing with complete genius

I had a hell of a good time                                                    I had a HEAVEN of a good time

I've been dying for this moment                                           I've been LIVING for this moment

Damned if you do, damned if you don't                         Blessed if you do, blessed if you don't, blessed no matter what!

No good deed goes unpunished                                        Good deeds are rewarding on every level

I'm as serious as a heart attack                                          This is my Truth

I'm just telling you how it is.                                              Everybody’s reality is different.

Luxury is an enemy                                                          Luxury is like our soul mate lover!

This tastes like sh&#                                                         This has a flavor I’m not accustomed to.

Break a leg!                                                                      You can do it, OR May the Force be with you

One shot, one kill!                                                            First attempt, success!

A cat in hell's chance                                                        Every chance under the sun

I am sweating like a pig                                                    My body is releasing toxins and cleansing itself

I don't give a F***                                                            It's no fluff off my duck!

All is fair in love and war                                                 Only love is real

Money doesn't grow on trees                                           We live in a rich and abundant universe

‘K I S S’ (Keep It Simple Stupid)                                    Keep It Simple Sweetie

It's not brain surgery                                                         It is easy compared to most things

Pain in the neck                                                                It’s a real learning experience

Everything I love is illegal, immoral,                                Life is great! or fattening

I can't believe that                                                             It was amazing OR How cool is that?! It was unbelievable

Children should been seen                                               Children should be seen and heard loud and clear! but not heard

There's no end in sight                                                     Wonderful changes happen all the time!

I could've killed him                                                         I could've hugged him

If it was a snake, it would have bitten you!                      If it was my dog, it would have licked you!

My heart bleeds for you                                                  My heart sings for you

Drop dead gorgeous                                                       Gorgeous !

I’m sick and tired of this                                                 I am ready to change this

Get over it                                                                      Release it

Life's a bitch and then you die.                                      Life's a blessing if you try OR Life’s a blessing then you fly!!!

Killing time                                                                   Enjoying life

Life is hard                                                                    Life is FULL of opportunities!

Lesser of two evils                                                        The best opportunity that presents itself

My heart goes out to you                                              What can I do to support you?

No pain no gain                                                            Positive change is worth the effort

The suspense is killing me                                           I am excited to find out

That is no skin off my back                                         It’s easy!

It’s been a heck of a day                                             It’s been a heaven of a day!

Doreen Virtue is the author of Divine Magic and The Miracles of Archangel Michael. She gives workshops all around the world. For more information, please visit angeltherapy.com Contributors: Doreen Virtue, Ros Booth, Anna Taylor, Hope Cramer, Sue Tanida, Tatiela Laake, Pat Schiavo, Tony Costa, April P. Eriel, Angela Hartfield, Clare Douglas, Corrinne White, Arlette Bellio, Mary Morningstar Collins, Brigitte Parvin, Janet Bowden, Satoshi Morikawa, David Alden, Melanie Jacob, Erica Longdon, Wendy Gabriel , Patrick Richardson, Julie Ann Moylan, Isabella Wesoly, Kristi Vaughn, Megan Anne Gay, Paula Masterman, Claire Jennings, Kate Whorlow, Sandra Allagapen, Keri Martin, Heidi Boucher, Chantal Provost, Kristi Vaughn, Polly Ford, Lisette-Anne Volker, Catherine Mcmahon, Timothy Ellis, Lori R. Leach, and others.