Keeping a Positive Mind

Remaining positive in challenging times can be, well, challenging!

It seems that it should be easy to be positive about money when you have it, think that you have energy and health when you do, and believe that people are good when you are treated well.

On the other hand, if you are faced with loss of home or job, an illness or debilitating injury, or if someone has stolen something of value from you or been just plain mean, it can be much more difficult to keep that positive attitude.

Affirmations are one of tools to help you in this challenge. When you are facing the challenges that life brings--and we all face them, perhaps to different degrees or in different areas--that is when we need to be positive the most.

What area is challenging you the most right now? Is it money? Is it health? Are you lonely? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you in pain? Feeling under appreciated?

Whatever it is, write an affirmation about it. Choose one item. The one that seems the "biggest" right now, the most stressful. What would you like to be feeling about that situation? What would feel good? And what can you actually believe right now, as a starting point?

For example, let's say you have a serious illness or injury (which I hope is not the case.) It might be too much to affirm "I have perfect health". Try a small step rather than a giant leap. For example, "I am open to healing for my body". Write that on a card or sticky note. Write it several times and put it up where you will see it.

And listen to your words when you talk to other people. I'm not telling you to lie to people about your condition, but be aware that when you speak of your illness in a negative way it will not facilitate your healing.

For example, I recently hurt my shoulder, as you may have heard. I caught myself referring to "my bad shoulder". I decided to change that right away. My shoulder is not "bad". My shoulder is in the process of healing and regaining strength and flexibility. When I think about it that way, it helps me to be gentle with myself and it, to do the things that I need to in order to facilitate the healing. By changing my words, I change my attitude which in turn changes my actions which affects my healing.

Progress in the Shoulder

Hurray! All is well. Getting there at any rate.

My affirmations on health are "getting through". I am already seeing and feeling a difference. Here is an example of an affirmation I use:

I heal my shoulder without surgery. My body has the ability to heal itself. Thank you for my healing.

As I do my exercises I alternate my affirmations and visualizing myself with both arms lifted in joy over my head.

I am pleased to report my exercises are getting easier to do, and the pain is dramatically reduced.

All is Well

I TIVO just about everything. I really enjoy that--so even though the Universe Likes Speed, sometimes I am personally better served by watching a show later on! I find that if I TIVO a show and then watch it when it is "speaking to me" there is generally a really good reason I waited to watch it. Besides perhaps it was on at an inconvenient time, or I was out of town!

One recent example was the Oprah Show. She had a guest panel on discussing The Secret. I've actually been studying the Law of Attraction (although not always seriously or steadily!) for about a dozen years. I love the movie and the book and I encourage everyone to read/watch it. It is a great introduction to the concepts.

I loved watching this panel of 4 powerful women--Oprah, Louise Hay, Cheryl Richardson and Martha Beck, discussing the power of intention, the power of our thoughts and how we can change our lives (and the world) through this powerful principle.

I've been going through a physical challenge since the beginning of the year that I was not getting past. Frankly it was starting to really get to me. Even though I know that the best solution is not talking negatively to or about my body, I was starting to think and feel as if my body was no longer whole. And it was pissing me off! I tried working through it, which only made it worse. I tried all the normal doctor remedies (rest, ice, etc). I tried anti-inflammatories. Nothing was working. I was not able to do the things that I wanted to do and I was choosing to allow that to affect my entire demeanor, about everything. I was feeling less than useful. My sense of self and self-worth was deteriorating. Rapidly.

For whatever reason one afternoon I decided to take a look at the television and see what I had in the magic TIVO box. Then the ladies came on.

I am now back to my affirmations and I am already feeling emotionally and physically better. Instead of focusing on my limitations, I am writing in my gratitude journal daily. I have notes to remind myself of my worth and my health. I have a specific affirmation I am using for my healing. And Louise Hay shared a general affirmation that I have absorbed into my daily life, and I am sure that she would be okay with my sharing it here:

"All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this experience only good will come, and I am safe."

Since I recommenced my affirmations I have already seen an improvement in my mobility. I know that I am open to the healing path now and that I will be fully healed.

Thank you Oprah, Louise, Cheryl and Martha! All is well--and job well done!