Here’s the thing your mind is lying to you.
In Part 1, we talked about the power of affirmations to deal with the head trash that keeps you unhappy and unfulfilled.
But pick the wrong affirmation and you’ll do more harm than good.
Be Very Careful With Affirmations
Affirmations are personal because they reprogram the way you think. Your subconscious mind takes everything literally. If you affirm, “I am earning more money,” your work load might double because you have to earn the extra money. Bummer! Your sincere and positive intention created an unforeseen consequence. Make sure the words you choose accurately portray exactly the results you intend to achieve. Be careful what you ask for. If you affirm patience, do you think the universe will just magically change you? More likely it will send you opportunities to practice being more patient. That would be very helpful for your spiritual growth, but may not be what you intended. Here is one of my favorite affirmations to get you started. I use it frequently because I realize that much of my worrying and fear comes from a lack of faith that I will be taken of, that I will have everything I need (not necessarily want).I go forth in perfect faith in the power of omnipresent good to bring me what I need at the time I need it.Paramhansa Yogananda
Proven Guidelines for Affirmations
Effective affirmations share some time-tested attributes that you need to be aware of whether you write your own or use someone else’s. Affirm a “want” not a “should.” You must want it. Now, that seems too obvious to even mention. But often we don’t know what we really want. We have bought into the ideas of what other people think we should be, have, do. For example, your father wants you to go to law school and earn a lot of money like him. But your heart’s desire is to go to Brazil and help save the rain forests. For you, money is a should, not a priority. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with having financial goals. I have them myself. My point is that affirmations work for your true needs and desires, not your “shoulds.” Another example: instead of visualizing driving a Porsche, ask why do you want the car, how will it make you feel. If the answer is “happy,” then choose an affirmation about happiness, visualize yourself as happy and feel happy already. Getting a powerful, luxurious car may make you happy for awhile, but lasting happiness can’t be found in external objects. Keep asking “Why?” until you get to your true need or desire. (Some people recommend 5 times.) To find out if you’re using an appropriate affirmation, notice whether or not you continue doing it, whether or not the goal really excites you, whether or not it gives you energy. Don’t focus on what you don’t want. Affirmations must be positive, because negative affirmations reinforce the reality you want to overcome. For example, you might affirm, “I’m not going to eat chocolate.” What does the subconscious mind focus on? “Chocolate!” The subconscious mind doesn’t pay attention to negative words like “not.” It just sees “chocolate.” Try something like this instead: “I nourish my body temple with healthy food.” If you want to overcome a negative emotion such as fear, anger, or anxiety, concentrate on and cultivate the opposite quality. For example:- Fear: Bravery and love
- Anger: Peace and good-will
- Weakness: Strength
- Anxiety: Peace and calmness.