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Why Affirmations Don't Really Work (and
what to do about it)
by
Mark Ament © 2008
If
you've been around the personal growth world at all you've probably
used a few affirmations to improve your experience of
life. Affirmations are positive self talk
statements like "I am healthy," "I am happy", "I am a winner" and so on.
The promise of affirmations is that you can use them to
reprogram limiting thoughts and beliefs and thereby transform your
life. For some people they really do seem to work.
But did you ever wonder why affirmations don't seem to work for
everyone? I know I have.
I've spent a lot of time thinking about that question and reflecting on
my own experience (which is a lot) in using affirmations.
What I've come up with in simple terms is that affirmations are
entirely powerless unless you are able to experience how the words of a
given affirmation make you feel. Words are powerful
only to the extent that they stimulate emotion.
Another way to say this is affirmations are only of value if they move
you to feel.
I believe that part of the reason for this is that emotions, unlike
thoughts, are always in the present
moment. And the present is where the
power is. It is simply impossible to feel in the
future or the past.
On a practical level that means to succeed with affirmations you must
experience the feelings that the words evoke inside of you.
This involves dropping from your the busyness of thoughts and into your
body.
Here's an example of how I do it. I'm currently working with
an abundance affirmation that I use whenever I spend money.
It goes something like this:
After I hand over the bills or use my credit card I say,
"Wow! What an amazing creation I have just experienced. I
appreciate receiving what I have just paid for and express
this appreciation from the Infinite Abundance that is my natural
state. I know that my supply only expands and
returns to me multiplied."
Now, when I say these words, if I stay in my thoughts, I hear
all kinds of objections like, "that's crazy" or "this will never
work." So instead I slow down and experience what
the words make me feel and then I am totally peaceful and
happy. That is where the power is so I take a few
moments to enjoy it.
What's great about using affirmations in this way is that in the moment
I'm feeling, I don't care about the past or the future. I'm
not saying these words to get anywhere, change anything or improve
myself. I'm only experiencing how they make me feel
now.
In that sense, is it possible to say that the affirmation is
"working?" I think so, because in that moment I am free from
worry about money, health, or anything else. I'm just feeling
good. And when I string together moment after moment like
this, the past disappears and the imaginary future always takes care of
itself.
Easier said than done, I know. But I think all of us get
plenty of opportunities every day to practice.
I hope I've explained my perspective on affirmations without sounding
too "airy fairy."
In the final analysis I believe that we can use them one tool (among
many) to uncover anything that blocks us from experience ourselves as
the truly compassionate and enlightened beings we are. To me,
that is the ultimate healing.
I'm going to leave you with some of my favorite affirmations.
As you read this list now slow down, enjoy and feel how the words
impact you. Some will produce stronger experiences than
others. Stay with the strong ones for as long as you want and
then move on.
Self Confidence
I
love myself completely as I am
I
let go of my defense mechanisms
I
am glad to be born--I have a right to be here
Health
Abundant
energy and vitality are my birthright
I
am an ever flowing spring of aliveness
Every
cell in my body is healthy and well
Brilliant
health and glorious goodness follow me
Abundance
Every
dollar I spend comes back to me multiplied
People
enjoy paying me money for what I enjoy doing most
Life
always holds out as much goodness as I am willing to accept
Money,
like a puppy, follows me wherever I go
Enlightenment
Consciousness
seeks its perfect expression through me
I
am the perfect expression of gratitude
I
am the perfect expression of forgiveness
I
am the perfect expression of love
Webmasters:
you may freely
publish "Why Affirmations Don't Really Work - And What To Do
About It" as
long
as you include
the
signature in the box below.
When you do publish it, please send
me
the link at service@healingvibes.com.
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Mark Ament is the author of
several books and programs on natural health, including his unique
introduction to natural
healing course
called the "5 Master Keys To Ultimate Healing." To get your
free
copy and learn more about Mark's work visit www.healingvibes.com
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