About a dozen years ago, while meandering through the clothing aisles at Ross, I came upon a gray tank top. When I pulled it from the rack, I saw that it read:
(on the front)
“DO WHAT YOU LOVE”
(on the back)
“LOVE WHAT YOU DO”
I turned the shirt forward and back a few times and kept silently repeating the print.
I recall reacting with, “Huh.”
I felt inspired and a bit uncomfortable at the same time. In some way, the shirt ruffled something within me that was past my comfort zone. It resonated. So, I decided to own it and tossed the shirt into my cart. I still have the top and have worn it out. Literally. The fabric is sheer, the print barely there and it has a few holes. The tank top is on its “last life” as a pajama top now. I love this shirt.
The tank’s print was a Foreword in my new book on life. At the time I purchased the life affirming shirt, I was in a profession that did not make me happy. I wasn’t fulfilled - I was merely content. I knew, even though I didn’t have the slightest clue as to how, there had to be more to my life than the monotony it was, but I didn’t believe it was possible.
My next big awakening with affirmations was when I was introduced to Louise L. Hay and her legendary book, “You Can Heal Your Life.” Through the guidance of the self-paced healing book, I began to see how my emotional wounds and shadow beliefs manifested in my physical body and in my way of life. Something big happened as I went through the book. I began to see how I toted my shadow self around with me like a superhero cape. The illumination brought forth a profound healing that encouraged me to stop looking back upon my residual programs and instead to look forward and cultivate anew. That is the amazing ability of affirmations: they have the potential to shift our mindset, cultivate new thoughts and beliefs, and inspire us to Be in a new way.
Our conditioning begins when we began to communicate with the world. Therein the seeds of self-thought are planted and reinforced to become The System of Self-belief. The way we come to perceive ourself is what we come to believe as true. That conception blurs our actual ability to see and connect with our innate self by having us believe we are limited. While it is challenging to undo this unhealthy, sticky webbing, it is reversible. That’s why affirmations are powerful; the more you repeat them, the more you revise and can eliminate old programs.
For every one negative comment your consciousness takes in, it takes at least five positive ones to neutralize it and begin to shift your belief system the other direction. One negative to every five positive.
The other beauty of affirmations is that you can create your own. While guided affirmations like those provided by Louise L. Hay can be incredibly insightful, one does not have to depend on an outside source. Once you’ve dabbled and delved into practicing with affirmations, create your own. An affirmation does not have to be elaborate; they can be one word. Such as peace, love, devotion, creation, appreciation. Work with your phrases for a time, notice how you feel, notice what shifts within and within your life.
Here’s how they work.
Whether you write, recite them aloud, sing or paint them - the sheer act and fact that your consciousness has to acknowledge the affirmation is what is important. It’s sort of like using flash cards to train your brain - in this case, retrain your frame of mind. The key is to repeat the phrase a minimum of five times and to be physically engaged while doing so. The deeper the wound you are mending, the more important it is to connect to your body, your sense of self. Insults and injuries on all levels, are well imprinted in our minds because adrenaline is secreted during the original experience. The amplified energy locks the images, words, and emotions into what becomes our frame of reference. Injury and trauma can be over come when we have a visceral connection to our body and self in the present moment. That’s why repetition and writing (in particular) is a powerful dynamic that can shift your belief system. Before you begin your affirmation practice, take a moment to sense your connection to the space you are in, the way your body is supported - so that your mind knows you are in the moment. In the now.
Nothing is ever too late to over-ride or re-do. It comes down to our belief, faith some repetition (which is really about dedication and self devotion) and…some bad ass affirmations that can crack open your sense of empowerment. There is more to us than “meets the mind’s eye.” May you step out of your shadows and embrace the very words that resonate with you and Be You.
References
“You Can Heal Your Life”, by Louise L. Hay
”Badass Affirmations: The Wit and Wisdom of Wild Women”, by Becca Anderson
You can also refer to my Love Notes for a monthly affirmation. A new one is posted at the beginning of every month and is also included in my monthly newsletter. Click here to subscribe.