Affirmations
Affirmation means to make firm, solid, more real. Thoughts–not very solid–when repeated over and over, become more and more firm. They become feelings, behaviors, experiences and things. What we think about, we can become.
We affirm all the time. Sometimes we affirm negative things; sometimes we affirm positive things. In the words of Henry Ford, "If you think you can do a thing, or think you can’t do a thing; you’re right."
I, of course, am going to suggest that you consciously affirm the positive. Many of us already have the unconscious habit of affirming the negative. To change that, I quote Johny Mercer, "You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch onto the affirmative."
Affirmations usually begin with "I am…" "I am happy, healthy, wealthy person." "I am joyful no matter what is happening around me." "I am loving and kind." If you’re affirming for material things, it’s a good idea to start even those with "I am…" "I am enjoying my new house." "I am creative and content in my new career."
Affirmations are best in the present tense. "I want a new car," affirms what? Wanting a new car, when that’s a good affirmation. What you probably want, however, is the car. "I am safely and happily enjoying my beautiful new car." Affirm as though you already have what you want, even though you don’t yet have it. (The operative word is "yet.")
No matter how "impossible" something may seem, put it into an affirmation form and give it a try. Say it, out loud, at least 100 times before you decide how "impossible" something might be. After 100 repetitions, you may find yourself quite comfortable with the idea.
You can write affirmations on paper and put them in places you will see them–on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator, next to your bed, on the car dashboard. You can also record them on endless-loop cassette tapes and play them in the background all day (and night) long.
A powerful technique is to say your affirmation while looking into your eyes in a mirror. All your limitations about the thing you’re affirming are likely to surface, but persevere. Outlast the negative voices and doubting feelings. Plant the seed of your affirmation deep.
You can use affirmations written by other people, but remember that you are perfectly capable of creating your own. If you don’t think so, start with the affirmation, "I am enjoying the success of the wonderful affirmations I create for myself." That should be the last affirmation anyone needs to write for you. (And you probably could have created a better one than that.)
Your purpose is already an affirmation. Say it to yourself often. Create affirmations for each of the experiences you want. They can be very simple: "I am content." "I am joyful and calm in the peace of my mind." "I am feeling love." "I am strong and powerful." Also, write several affirmations for each item on your top-ten list.
Affirmations work if you use them. The more you use them, the more they work. They can be used anywhere, anytime, while doing almost anything.
It’s a good idea (a very good idea) to end all your affirmations with "…this or something better, for the highest good of all concerned," assures that your affirmation is fulfilled in a way that’s best for everyone.
Learn to automatically turn all your wishes and wants into affirmations. Then start catching your negative thoughts, switching them around and making affirmations out of them. By only slightly revising the negative chatter (changing "can’t" to "can," "won’t" to "will," and "hate" to "love"), you can turn all those formerly limiting voices into a staff of in-house affirmation writers.
Here are a few to get you started, but this is a very brief list.
- I am feeling warm and loving toward myself.
- I am worthy of all the good in my life.
- I am one of the universe, and I have more than I need.
- I am happy that I always do the best I can with what I know and always use everything for my advancement.
- I am forgiving myself unconditionally.
- I am grateful for my life.
- I am loving and accepting myself and others.
- I am treating all problems as opportunities to grow in wisdom and love.
- I am relaxed, trusting in a higher plan that’s unfolding for me.
- I am automatically and joyfully focusing on the positive.
- I am giving myself permission to live, love and laugh.
- I am creating and singing affirmations to create a joyful, abundant, fulfilling life.
… this or something better for the highest good of all concerned.
