Making Affirmations Work For You

The most recent press the concept of affirmations has received is the movie (and book) The Secret. This current presentation of The Law of Attraction, an age old concept, spends a good deal of time addressing affirmations via its instruction to raise our vibration with the thoughts we think. Of course, the movie then goes on to obsess over money and material possessions as being the only reason we would want to do something like that, which is where it loses me and many others, but the bottom line is the film does a wonderful job of presenting the idea and has helped many people change their lives.

Affirmations are simply thoughts; intentional thoughts that we use to affirm our reality. An affirmation can be something as simple as thinking, "I'm having a bad day," or acknowledging that "This is the best day of my life!" Either way, when you think the thought, you are establishing a foundation for your reality.

The buzz boils down to this: by changing what you think you change what you focus on. When you change your focus you are more open to opportunity, which is the "raise in vibration" process we metaphysicians love to refer to.

When I think about my introduction to the concept of affirmations I think of Saturday Night Live. Those silly skits where they would poke fun at that poor fellow, Stewart Smiley. Having little to no self esteem, he would say uplifting phrases to himself in the mirror. And, of course, the Jack Handey affirmations that would pop up between bits. I understood they were making fun of something that many people took seriously and used to change their lives, but I had not used them personally yet.

It wasn't until I was older that I was reintroduced to the concept. My life was very dark and muddled. After discovering a copy of Stuart Wilde's "Affirmations", I was able to open myself to the concept even more, which lead me to A Course in Miracles and The Science of Mind. All simply based on the idea that changing your perspective can change your life.

At a very dark and dismal time in my life I created the following affirmation. Simple and to the point: "Peace. Love. Freedom. Health. Stability. Abundance. Strength. Faith. Forgiveness. Harmony. Trust. Honesty. Hope." All of the things that were missing in my life became my daily affirmation and helped me guide my mind to a better way of being before I was physically able to be there. But I wouldn't have been open to the opportunities that allowed me accept this as part of my life if they weren't part of my foundation.

Making affirmations work is the easiest thing in the world. Mainly because they work right away, even when you question and disbelieve the validity, they are working. As with all things new, it will take time. You will have a few months where you are affirming the reality you want and nothing seems to be happening. Be patient. You may have an experience like I had where, one morning as I was waking up, I automatically started thinking my affirmations. Before I knew it I started to become more aware of the opportunities I would come upon during my day that in the past I might have ignored or looked down upon.

These are my favorite affirmations from Stuart Wilde's book "Affirmations":

• I am power.
• Opportunity finds me.
• I am eternal, immortal, universal and infinite. My expectations are truly limitless.
• I am truly a part of all things. The God Force flows through me. I feel secure.
• The Universe is abundant. Therefore I naturally feel abundant. All my needs are met.
• Courage is a natural part of my being. By facing life I transcend it.
• Each and every day I am becoming more sensitive to my surroundings. I am always in the right place at the right time.
• In simplifying my life, I step beyond confusion. In clarity I express power.

Be sure to check the online resources for other great affirmations. Soon you will be creating your own that apply directly to you and your life experience.