Affirmation -- the process of making our desires and needs "firm" in the world -- through language. At the outset, it seems clear enough. You just identify what you want and create a statement that affirms it. Clear enough, that is, until you really sit down to figure out what you want. That's where things can get tricky. It's the place of the affirmation behind the affirmation.
Let's get right to the point. Do you want what you want for its own sake? Or because you expect it will get you something else?
* Janie said that more than anything else, she wanted to lose weight. Yet when you'd talk with her, what she really wanted was to be more attractive to a partner. She assumed that being heavy was her main obstacle to attracting the loving and devoted partner she so desired.
* Sue also said that more than anything else, she wanted to lose weight. Sue was in her 30's and on a limited budget. She was also on some fairly pricey high blood pressure medication. Sue was concerned about the state of her health. If she had to start on those heavy meds this early in life, what was going to be the long-term effect on her health? Sue wanted to lose weight for her health.
* Caroline said that more than anything else, she wanted to lose weight. She had two young kids and an active family. The extra weight she was carrying around made it difficult for her to participate fully in the family activities. Plus her back hurt. Caroline wanted to lose weight so she could feel more comfortable in her body and have a more involved relationship with her family.
Three people with the same goal -- to lose weight. You might expect that each of them would feel drawn to the same type of original affirmation: "My body is slim and light."
Yet behind the goal were three different reasons. Janie wanted to attract a loving partner, Sue wanted to improve her health, and Caroline wanted to relieve back pain and be more involved in her family's activities. There were three different affirmations to be found behind the original desire.
Janie, Sue, and Caroline can surely go ahead and affirm their slim, light bodies. Yet overall, their self-improvement programs will be richer if they also work with the background desires.
* Janie might add in a second affirmation like this one: "I easily attract my perfect partner now."
* Sue might add something like this: "My body is healthy and strong. All my organs work perfectly!"
* Caroline could consider adding in: "I am comfortable in my body." and "I enjoy participating in activities that bring our family joy."
Now take a look at your own life. What do you most want? Then ask yourself the next question. What do you expect to happen in your life as a result of accomplishing your first goal? That second question is the key to finding your affirmation behind the affirmation.
* So you want to make a bunch of money. Why? What do you expect to happen in your life as a result? Consider a few possibilities: to achieve financial security for your family, buy a new home or car, become debt-free, or buy your time back from your job.
* So you want to buy your time back from your job. Why? What do you expect to happen in your life as a result? Consider these possibilities: to spend more time with your family, rest, travel, or pursue an interest you are passionate about.
Are you starting to see the possibility here? Sure, go ahead and affirm that you've achieved the financial freedom that allows you to quit your job. And at the same time, affirm that you're slim and light, you live in a close-knit family, your life is balanced between work and play, and that you've successfully started that business that you've always dreamed about.
Your affirmations -- and your life -- will be all the richer.
Elizabeth Eckert coaxes, cajoles, and gently guides the creation of healing intent. She's the founder of http://www.wordcures.com and author of Word Cures: How to Keep Stupid Excuses From Sabotaging Your Health. Begin your self-talk makeover today -- it's simple healthy living
How Do I Know What The Universe
No comments:
Post a Comment