GailVilcu.com

AFFIRMATIONS are precise yet simple positive  statements that we create.

 Negative statements can be just as powerful and yet, not so rewarding, as positive statements.  Affirmations are purposeful, like when we are wanting to create change in some aspect of our life, or they may be made automatically like when we tell ourselves “Oh, this is to hard”, when we are faced with a task that is new to us. What is fascinating about them is that the more we use them, the more our behavior becomes like them!

How affirmations work : We go through our life according to our beliefs. For example, we know it and hence it is our belief that if we touch anything hot, it will cause burns. Hence we don’t touch hot things with our bare hands. However, the belief system of small children is not yet formed. Hence, they do not know the difference between hot and cold and are likely to touch hot things with their bare hands. (hence we have to take greater care of small children than grown up children). 

If they get burns on their hand, or, alternately if they are told repeatedly that touching hot things is bad, then their belief system forms and they will avoid touching hot things. This is an example of affirmations at work.

All our beliefs are stored in the subconscious mind. So, if you find that you are unable to make lots of money, or, you make money but are unable to hold on to it, it may be due to such beliefs held in the subconscious mind as “I do not deserve to be prosperous” or “Money is bad”, etc. In order to change our beliefs, we have to operate at the level of the subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is like your computer. It takes an input, processes it and gives an output. It does not think by itself. It does not distinguish between good and bad. If we put garbage in a computer we get garbage as output. (Hence the phrase GIGO which means Garbage In, Garbage Out). That is why your mother told you to keep good company and avoid bad company. In good company you hear good and positive thoughts, see good actions being performed, good deeds being done. By constantly being in good company these good things get impressed on your subconscious mind and, in turn, your thoughts and actions also turn out to be good. That is why Napoleon Hill says, “If you want to be rich, be in the company of rich men”. Also, it is a known fact that you are the average of the five people you hang out with. Who are you hanging out with?

So, in order to change your beliefs and create a new reality, you have to bombard your subconscious mind with thoughts of your desire. While doing so, there are certain dos and don’ts to be followed for optimum use of affirmations. These are listed below :

• Use the PRESENT TENSE. Do not use the future tense. If you say, “I will be rich”, your being rich will forever be in the future! The subconscious mind tries to literally bring about what it is asked to do. Hence say “I am enjoying my financial freedom” or “I choose to be wealthy”. According to some psychologists, the term “choose” is better as then, being rich becomes your choice. And anyway, isn’t it true that your present life is the result of the choices you have made in the past?

• Be POSITIVE. Only positive statements work. It seems the subconscious mind is incapable of dealing in negatives. So, if you say “I am not fat”, then when the statement reaches the subconscious mind, the term “not” is ignored and it becomes “I am fat”!

 

• Affirmations can either be SPOKEN or be WRITTEN down.When speaking, repeat them emphatically, preferably throughout the day. The least you can do is repeat them at least twenty times in the morning just when you get up and twenty times in the evening just before you go to sleep. Another great way is to write them down at least twenty times daily. Writing is a faster way of impressing your subconscious mind. Napoleon Hill, in his legendary book “Think and Grow Rich” suggests the card method which is highly effective. Write down your affirmation or a picture of your desire (car, house, etc.) on a 3″ x 5″ card and keep it in your pocket. Throughout the day, whenever you get the chance, remove the card, look at it or read it. Do this several times a day. Then there is also the famous “mirror technique” given below.

 

• REPETITION. In order to bring about significant changes in your life, affirmations must be repeated several times per day till such time that they become a reality. If you do them for a few days only, the expected results may not come. Be bull doggish about them, i.e. continue doing them till your goals are accomplished.  Continue repeating your daily affirmations until you receive your desired results, at such time you can add a new affirmation that will be directed at another area of your life you would like enhanced. 
•  

Mirror Technique :  The mirror technique  is referred to by one of my favorite authors, being  Louise L. Hay in her best selling book “You Can Heal Your Life”. The technique is as follows:

Stand in front of a mirror, look into your eyes and repeat the affirmations with intention. Put energy into them. Looking into your own eyes deeply helps connect with your subconscious mind. However, you have to do this on a very regular basis. I find the best method is to do it with only a small candle lit, you are able to block everything else out and just connect with self.  In fact, Louise L. Hay says in her above mentioned book that when you are in your house and whenever you pass in front of your mirror, stop and repeat the statements a few times. This is a very powerful technique, as the energy that is created while speaking your affirmations can create some positive shifts within. The more you repeat these affirmations the deeper they are instilled in the subconscious and the more profound the affects are felt. 

 It is a good idea to combine one or more of them, so you can have fun creating your own personalized affirmation(s) . Whenever possible, say them in front of a mirror. Also remember that you are trying to reprogram a lifetime of thinking habits. This takes time. If you are repeating the affirmations about a hundred times a day in front of a mirror, allow a period of at least six months to elapse before expecting results.

Combining affirmations withguided visualization can lead to speedy results. Please see the page on Guided Visualization.