What are Affirmations and how can I use them?
Occasionally, a negative thought crosses our mind. Maybe more often than we like.
Using affirmations in our life can help change negative thoughts into positive ones and can help enhance the positive thoughts that are already there.
If you have not yet watched (or read) The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, I highly recommend doing so! (The movie is on Netflix or Tube last I checked.)
Affirmations are part of the Law of Attraction. If we think negative thoughts, we will attract negative thoughts.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon…. If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.” - Buddha
Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes.
Many of us do repetitive exercises to improve our physical health; affirmations are like exercises for our mind. These positive mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that, over time, we begin to think – and act – differently.
Affirmations can help;
Choosing an Affirmation (or two, or 3…)
There are a lot of affirmations out there! There are books, journals, mobile apps, and so on.
First, decide what you need this affirmation for.
Do you need a random daily reminder? Perhaps a calendar or journal will help.
Do you need 1 affirmation for a specific goal, example: Needing to concentrate at work, post a note near your work computer saying, “I am focused - Energy flows where attention goes”.
Remember, affirmations are written in present tense; “I AM”.
Although the “I AM” affirmations are most popular other statements can just be as impactful, example: I honour my body and my body honours me.
Visualize it!
It’s not just a statement! Close your eyes, imagine it, add images to your thoughts.
Write it down!
Are you struggling with negative thoughts? The act of writing out the negative thought, then erasing it, or ripping it up is so satisfying and has a positive effect on the brain. Afterwards, write down your positive affirmation.
Speak it!
Say it out loud! Let’s say you are prepping for an interview. Find a private bathroom and look into the mirror or close your eyes and speak your affirmations our loud.
And remember, speak it with confidence!
Move!
Adding affirmations to joyful movement has a very powerful effect, it’s like adding Nitro to a race car!
And lastly;
Document and share your success with others!
I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to send me an email and share your story!
~Bernie Feakes
loveyourbodyyoga.ca
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” Buddha
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine —and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us.” — John Mitchell
Using affirmations in our life can help change negative thoughts into positive ones and can help enhance the positive thoughts that are already there.
If you have not yet watched (or read) The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, I highly recommend doing so! (The movie is on Netflix or Tube last I checked.)
Affirmations are part of the Law of Attraction. If we think negative thoughts, we will attract negative thoughts.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon…. If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.” - Buddha
Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes.
Many of us do repetitive exercises to improve our physical health; affirmations are like exercises for our mind. These positive mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that, over time, we begin to think – and act – differently.
Affirmations can help;
- Perform better at work
- Raise confidence
- Helps reduce frustration/anger/impatience
- Reduce stress and calm the nerves
- Increase confidence
- Improve chances of a successful outcome
- Helps with mental health and other conditions
- Helps remind ourselves of our values
- Increases self-esteem and self-worth
- Overcome bad habits and addictions
Choosing an Affirmation (or two, or 3…)
There are a lot of affirmations out there! There are books, journals, mobile apps, and so on.
First, decide what you need this affirmation for.
Do you need a random daily reminder? Perhaps a calendar or journal will help.
Do you need 1 affirmation for a specific goal, example: Needing to concentrate at work, post a note near your work computer saying, “I am focused - Energy flows where attention goes”.
Remember, affirmations are written in present tense; “I AM”.
Although the “I AM” affirmations are most popular other statements can just be as impactful, example: I honour my body and my body honours me.
Visualize it!
It’s not just a statement! Close your eyes, imagine it, add images to your thoughts.
Write it down!
Are you struggling with negative thoughts? The act of writing out the negative thought, then erasing it, or ripping it up is so satisfying and has a positive effect on the brain. Afterwards, write down your positive affirmation.
Speak it!
Say it out loud! Let’s say you are prepping for an interview. Find a private bathroom and look into the mirror or close your eyes and speak your affirmations our loud.
And remember, speak it with confidence!
Move!
Adding affirmations to joyful movement has a very powerful effect, it’s like adding Nitro to a race car!
And lastly;
Document and share your success with others!
I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to send me an email and share your story!
~Bernie Feakes
loveyourbodyyoga.ca
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” Buddha
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine —and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us.” — John Mitchell