Thoughts
are powerful
If affirmations are positive statements that, especially when repeated, have the power to change our negative thought patterns, then what power do our constant negative internal thoughts have? Plenty. When you think about it, we "speak" to ourselves nearly non-stop and for many people, the vast majority of it is not unlike the pandamonium going on inside my head when I was searching for my notes. I'm one of the most positive thinking people that I know, yet I'm not immune to that internal critic. Virtually everything we say, out loud or internally, is a form of affirmation...either positive, or not-so-positive. The good news is that you get to choose!
If
we all had the forethought to screen our internal critic, to counter
every negative thought, what kind of power would that create in our
lives? Seven years ago, that exact strategy helped me purchase my
own home, even though I was a self-employed single mother at the time.
After being turned down for a rental home because I was a single parent
(the landlord preferred a two-income couple), I felt frustrated and
decided on the spot to buy my own home. "Yeh, right...," my inner
voice began, "like you could afford anything in the Bay Area without
being married!!"
My internal critic had hit a nerve, and I knew it. Naturally, if I
didn't *believe* I could afford a home of my own, I never *would*
be able to afford a home of my own. From that point, I made a conscious
effort to change that thought pattern. I wrote affirmations like,
"I will soon be living in my own home," and "I will soon own my own
home", that I repeated as often as possible throughout the day. I
wrote them on cards, in my journal, and said them to myself throughout
the day. Whenever I saw a news report about the skyrocketing home
prices, I calmed myself down by telling myself it was OK, I would
soon own my own home...And I did. My income increased rapidly so I
was able to save for a down payment; I found a mortgage broker who
pre-qualified me; and I convinced a real estate broker friend to help
me find properties. Within 9 months, I had closed on my loan and moved
into my new home with my son. Changing your thought patterns with
affirmations is possible, and it can be very powerful!
Affirmations
as Prayer
Maggie Oman Shannon, author of four books including The Way We
Pray: Prayer Practices from Around the World and founder of TheNewStory.com explains, "People sometimes think that saying affirmations is a modern psychological practice, since success stories of top performers in business, sports, and entertainment are usually the contemporary context for reading about affirmations. But interestingly, some researchers have concluded that affirmations might have actually pre-dated prayer—that affirmations might have been the original form of praying before religious institutions shaped the definition of what prayer is."
"Yet whether one thinks of affirmations as a spiritual or psychological tool, there's no doubt that working with them—and really developing a felt sense of what it would be like to experience them come true—has created inspirational and often amazing outcomes for many, many people."
Say
It Thoughtfully
If you thought of everything you say—to yourself or to others—as a form of prayer, how would that change the way you communicate with others? Notice for one day how you interact with others, and with yourself. Whenever you note a comment or a thought that could be bringing you more harm than good, stop and rephrase your words. Some people find it easiest to create a new statement that is the opposite. For instance, if you are looking for something and your thought was, I'd
lose anything if it wasn't nailed down, rephrasing might sound
like I am calm, organized, and easily locate my possessions.
Repeat the positive phrase several times, while deep breathing and
then continue looking. When you do find your possessions, which is
likely to happen, you'll be much more calm and less critical.
Many
Blessings to you as you go about your day!
Have
some thoughts you'd like to share about affirmations, intentions,
or self-growth? Email
us!
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