Do Affirmations and Positive Thinking Work? - An Honest View

Ever wonder why after repeating your affirmations, praying, meditating, thinking positive, your life has not exactly changed in 60 days or less or the way you envisioned it?

The use of affirmations is a wonderful tool that is not new in the world of psychology or spirituality. It attracts men and women from all walks in life, who wonder what are the limitations and potential in repeating phrases over and over again and in actually creating change in their lives.

Are affirmations magical words? Do they really manifest the money, car, healing of a challenge? A change in one's spiritual awareness?

Not by themselves!

Coming from the creator of affirmation and meditation cards that I have not yet endeavored to sell as the printing is expensive, I can almost see a few raised eyebrows from friends who know me well.

But, I don't like to mislead...

We attract what we want to experience into our lives by changing what we feel on the inside. The feelings we have around the memories of the events in our lives, the traumas. fears, disappointments, especially in childhood, is the vibration that broadcasts to the universe, and to our minds, what we think we are worthy and capable of receiving.

If we believe we are unworthy of love, because something is 'wrong' with us, we are not meeting our family's or the standards of society, no amount of repeating "I will attract the perfect partner in my life" will work. Our inner fears will sabotage and cancel out our intentions, or worse we may attract a partner that reflects our lack of self love and may be abusive. Best to work on "I release anything that blocks love in my life", observe the thoughts and fears that come up and acknowledge and work on healing them. There are natural therapies like EFT, which involves tapping the meridian points in your body while repeating phrases that helps to release negative feelings and pent up energy.

Affirmations used wisely, can be very practical in moving our focus from self defeating thoughts to higher, positive ones, that support not only our goals but health.

Scientists are finding that the brain has the capacity to alter its structure. The brain does not know the difference between 'imagination' and 'reality'. If we pretend to play a musical instrument, a PET scan (positrion emission tomography) is almost identical as the person that is actually playing the musical instrument. These are exciting findings, as the brain influences our health and quality of life.

Deepak Chopra, M.D. agrees, and has said, "We are the only creatures on the planet who can change our biology through our thoughts, feelings and intentions. Our cells are constantly eavesdropping on our thoughts and being changed by them. When we fall in love, positive thoughts and emotions course through our body and strengthen our immune system. On the other hand, the dark thoughts and feelings of depression can leave us vulnerable to illness"

Masuro Emoto has done extensive research on how thoughts affect water; words such as hate and love have different crystal formations. He has written several books with photographs that give tangible proof that thoughts have power. We are composed of water; think how your thoughts are affecting you! (check my hub on Emoto's work)

Yes, affirmations and positive thinking works as a tool to self-love, self awareness, empowerment, healing, attaining you goals, but work to know yourself first and release stories, ideas, concepts about reality that no longer work for you, through self-inquiry.

A balanced inner self, free from the clouds that hide the light of your being, can help to create more harmony and wonder in your life!