Daily Affirmations

So I’m really committed to this idea of holistic change and improvement.  A couple of years ago, I purchased an MP3 download of guided imagery and daily affirmations designed to reduce stress.  It was completely out of character for me.  I am one of those people who couldn’t get in to yoga because  I was unable to embrace “the sun god spreading its warmth upon me”.  I know…I know…practicers of yoga have insisted that I, perhaps, was just going to the wrong studio for me.  I felt that yoga was too much of a spiritual experience that I was unable (or unwilling) to engage.  Given that as a back drop, this idea of daily affirmations seems to be a contradiction to what I just said.  Probably so, except I have an easier time relaxing in my bed and taking in positive messages rather than deriving meaning from life as blood rushes to my head while I’m holding “downward facing dog”. 

If you are unfamiliar with “affirmations”, it is defined as “Declarations that something is true.  A positive value judgement”.  I think we truly underestimate the power of positive thinking and how one’s “reality” is shaped by one’s perception of oneself (regardless how skewed that perception might be).  There is this quote I have always loved, “What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail”.  The truth of the matter is what we do attempt is far different than what we would attempt, and broadening our perception of what we are capable of bridges that gap between what we do accomplish.

Do you still feel this is a little hokey?  I must admit, I still am a bit of a skeptic.  However, I think the brain is so amazing and has so much untapped capacity.  If I can better utilize the resources I have to make myself feel healthier and happier with a mere attitude adjustment, I am willing to give it a shot.  With that said, I like www.healthjourneys.com.  I recently purchased Belleruth Naparstek’s daily affirmations on “Weight Loss- Health Journeys”.  It is a downloadable MP3 for $11.98.  I’ve previously purchased the guided imagery and daily affirmations on stress relief by Belleruth.  I wasn’t as big of a fan of the guided imagery.  Again, I have a hard time concentrating and getting in the right frame, however what turned me on to trying out the “Weight Loss” affirmations was my revisit to the daily affirmations segment on stress relief.  Some of the messages made me feel good by simply acknowledging that I have to be less critical of myself and let go of unreasonable expectations of myself  and others.  Getting into the process of reminding myself of these simple statements has really done wonders for my psyche.

I will report back to you my opinion of it- what works, what doesn’t, if I notice any change.  Sometimes when we are looking for positive changes, just trying something different gives us a new perspective.