An affirmation is a series of positively stated words affirming your health, strength or wisdom. The affirmation is repeated again and again while in a relaxed or meditative state. Affirmations enable you to transform negative thinking habits into positive ones. They require energy and effort. Affirmations help cultivate wholesome/healthy states of mind in four ways.
We all have some positive thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Repeating affirmations encourages the continued growth of these states of mind such as love, generosity, abundance and peace. Affirmations protect and further develop the strengths already manifest.
- Affirmations enable those positive thoughts, feelings and beliefs that are latent within us to emerge. We choose to call forth these qualities through the power of sound, speaking affirming words.
- Affirmations help us to let go of limiting feelings, attitudes and beliefs. We do not give energy to these thoughts. When a limiting thought arises we notice it and then choose to create and affirm a healthy thought.
- As we work with affirmations we gradually become aware of the people, situations and attitudes of mind that foster healthy qualities. We make clear choices to stay away form situations that encourage limiting thought forms. For example, we choose to spend less time in places or with people who encourage the abuse of alcohol or drugs.
To create your own affirmations think of qualities you wish to affirm in yourself. Then state these qualities as simply as possible. Always state them in the present tense. In that way the unconscious mind understands the goal and will work to bring it about. Say, “I am strong, energetic and competent” rather than “I am going to grow strong, energetic and competent”. The latter puts the situation in the future and the mind won’t respond to it. Your power is always in the present. State the affirmation in the positive or you will be encouraging a negative mind state. Say, “I am wide awake and alert”, rather than “I am not sleepy”. You may want to write out your affirmations and tape them to your mirror or refrigerator – someplace where you will see them daily. This is an excellent means of reinforcement.