The following is an excerpt from my book. Learn how to create affirmations.
Divorce the Divorce: a 52 Step Journey to Create Unlimited Happiness
Chapter 6
Affirmations
“All that you achieve and all that you fail to achieve is the direct result of your own thoughts.”
-James Allen
The Dhammapada is an ancient collection of the Buddha’s teachings. In “Twin Verses,” the first chapter of the Dhammapada it is written, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought: we are formed and molded by our thoughts.” Affirmations are positive statements that can be repeated on a regular basis. They can be written, repeated orally or both. Affirmations help us control our thoughts.
Stop right now and become aware of your thoughts. Are they nurturing and positive or negative and critical? Our thoughts tend to be negative.
“I cannot do this.”
“My hair looks terrible today.”
“I cannot afford that.”
“It is hard to get a good job.”
“I can never meet anyone decent.”
Does any of these sound familiar? First, you need to become aware of your thoughts, and then you can begin to replace them with positive affirmations.
James Allen in his classic, As a Man Thinketh, written in 1904, writes:
“Just as gardeners cultivate their plots, keeping them free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits they desire, so may you tend the garden of your mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts.”
One of my clients wanted to improve his self-esteem. We worked together to write three affirmations. He followed my instructions and wrote them down, said them out loud and looked in the mirror repeating them. With these and some other goal-oriented objectives, he was able to quit smoking, start exercising, start dating, and he found a job. This was not overnight, but he stayed persistent and consistent.
Positive affirmations work! They can transform your life. They are simple to incorporate into your daily activities. I write down my affirmations on index cards and keep them with me all day. Or I will put them on post it notes on my mirror in the bathroom and on my desk. Put them wherever you spend time. They are constant reminders to keep your thoughts positive and transforming.
Some days, I may work with ten affirmations. Other days or weeks, I may only work with one. I will write them down and read them out loud. The more you say them, the better. Try to repeat them morning and night at the very least. Gradually, over time, your thoughts will be more positive than negative. You can become the gardener of your mind.
I find with my clients that when they forget or stop using their affirmations, it is because they are no longer relevant. You may “outgrow” them. When that happens, compose new ones.
Activity
Begin Using Affirmations
1. Affirmations should be written in the present tense.
2. Think about what you would like to change or improve in your life.
3. Create several affirmations. Begin with, “I am________________.
4. Write them on index cards or post it notes. Put them where you will see them throughout the day.
5. Say them out loud at least once in the morning and once in the evening.
6. Look in the mirror and say them.
7. Using a small purse size notebook; begin a mini journal of your affirmations that you can carry with you.
Some examples of affirmations:
I am healthy.
I am creating my happiness.
I am power and love.
I believe in myself.
I am lovable.
I am grateful for all the gifts this day will bring.
I am creative and the Universe supports me.
Change your thoughts; change your life.
Midweek Delight
Go somewhere all by yourself. Somewhere you ordinarily would not go alone.