To affirm means to 'make firm'
An affirmation is a strong, positive statement that something is already so. It is a way of 'making firm' that which you are imagining.
Most of us are aware of the fact that we have a nearly continuous inner 'dialogue' going on in our minds. The mind is buy 'talking' to itself, keeping an endless commentary about life, the world, our feelings, our problems, other people, etc.
The words and ideas that run through our minds are very important. Most of the time we aren't consciously aware of this stream of thoughts, and yet what we are 'telling ourselves' in our minds is the basis on which we form our experience of reality. Our mental commentary influences and colours our feelings and perceptions about what's going on in our lives , and it is these thought forms that ultimately attract and create everything that happens to us.
Here are my top10 important things to remember about affirmations, followed by some affirmation ideas you could use;
1)
Always phrase affirmations in the present tense, not in the future. It's important to create it as if it already exists. Don't say, "I will get a wonderful new job," but rather "I now have a wonderful new job." This is not lying to yourself; it is acknowledging the fact that everything is created first on the mental plane, before it can manifest in objective reality.
2)
Always phrase affirmations in the most positive way that you can. Affirm what you do want, not what you don't want. Don't say "I no longer oversleep in the morning" but rather "I now wake up on time and full of energy every morning." This insures that you are creating the most positive possible mental image.
3)
At certain times you may find it helpful to phrase affirmations negatively, especially when you are working on clearing out specific emotional blocks or bad habits; i.e. "I don't need to get tense in order to get things accomplished." If so, you should always follow this type of affirmation with a positive one which describes that which you desire to create, i.e. "I now stay deeply relaxed and centered, and everything is accomplished easily and effortlessly."
4)
In general, the shorter and simpler the affirmation the more effective. An affirmation should be clear statement that conveys a strong feeling; the more feeling it conveys, the stronger the impression it makes on your mind. Affirmations that are long, wordy and theoretical lose their emotional impact and become a 'head trip'.
5)
Always choose affirmations that feel totally right for you. What works for one person may not work at all for another. An affirmation should feel positive, expansive, freeing, and/or supportive. If it doesn't, find another one, or try changing the words until if feels right. Of course, you may feel emotional resistance to any affirmation when you first use it, especially one which is really powerful for you and is going to make a real change in you consciousness. That is simply the ego's initial resistance to change and growth.
6)
Always remember when doing affirmations that you are creating something new and fresh. You are not trying to redo or change what already exists. To do so would be to resist that is, which creates conflict and struggle. Take the attitude that you are
accepting and handling whatever already exists in your life, and at the same time every moment is a new opportunity to begin creating exactly what you desire and will make you happiest.
7)
Affirmations are not meant to contradict or try to change your feelings or emotions. It is important to accept and experience all your feelings, including so-called 'negative' ones without attempting to change them. At the same time, affirmations can help you create a new point of view about life which will enable you to have more and more satisfying experiences from now on.
8)
When using affirmations, try as much as possible to create a feeling of belief, an experience that they can be true. Temporarily (at least for a few minutes) suspend your doubts and hesitations, and put your full mental and emotional every into them. Rather than saying affirmations mechanically, try to get the feeling that you really have the power to create that reality (which in fact you do!). This will make a big difference in how effective they are.
9)
Affirmations can be used alone, or in combination with visualising, mindfulness practice or imaging.
10)
Affirmations can be powerful and inspiring when they include references to spiritual sources. Mention of God, Christ, Buddha, or Mother Earth, add spiritual energy to you affirmation, and acknowledges the universal source of all things; you may prefer to use such phrases as divine love, the light within me, or universal intelligence. (Examples below!)
Affirmations can be done silently, spoken aloud, written down, played back to yourself on a recording, read to yourself in the mirror; try to practice your affirmations for ten minutes a day. Here are just a few to give you some ideas:
Every day in every way I'm getting better, better, and better.
Everything is coming to me easily and effortlessly.
I am a radiant being, filled with light and love.
I am beautiful and lovable.
I am naturally enlightened.
My life is blossoming in total perfection.
I have everything I need to enjoy my here and now.
I am the master of my life.
Everything I need is already within me.
I am kind and loving, and I have a great deal to share with others.
Perfect wisdom is in my heart.
I am whole and complete in myself.
I love and appreciate myself just as I am.
I am growing more and more attractive every day.
I accept all my feelings as part of myself.
I love to love and be loved.
The more I love myself, the more love I have to give others.
I now give and receive love freely.
I am now attracting loving, satisfying, happy relationships into my life.
I deserve the very best in life.
My relationship with _____ is growing happier and more fulfilling every day.
I now have a perfect, satisfying, well paying job.
I love doing my work, and I am richly rewarded, creatively and financially.
I am an open channel of creative energy.
I am dynamically self-expressive.
I always communicate clearly and effectively.
I now have enough time, energy, wisdom and money to accomplish all my desires.
I am always in the right place at the right time, successfully engaged in the right activity.
It's okay for me to have everything I want.
This is a rich universe and there's plenty for all of us.
Abundance is my natural state of being. I accept it now!
Infinite riches are now freely flowing into my life.
Every day I am growing more financially prosperous.
The more I have, the more I have to give.
The more I give, the more I receive, and the happier I feel.
It's okay for me to have fun and enjoy myself, and I do!
I am relaxed and centered. I have plenty of time for everything.
I am now enjoying everything I do!
I feel happy and blissful just being alive.
I am vibrantly healthy and radiantly beautiful!
I am open to receiving all the blessings of this abundant universe.
I have a wonderful job with wonderful pay. I do a wonderful service in a wonderful way.
The light of _____ within me is producing perfect results in every phase of my life now.
The light within me is creating miracles in my life here and now.
I give thanks for divine restoration in mind, body, financial affairs, and in all my relationships now.
All things are now working together for good in my life.
I am now attuned to the divine plan of my life.
I give thanks now for my life of health, wealth, happiness and perfect self expression.
Finally.....
I love the world and the world loves me!
It's important to note that 'affirmations' are not a 'treatment' alone, or alternative to Psychotherapy.
If you would like to book Psychotherapy sessions, get in touch.
Eve Houseman MBACP
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