Posts tagged Affirmations

Grieving Process

November 11, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last night was the final party honoring the life of a friend we lost in August to the ravagaes of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  She was a vibrant, adventurous theatrical person who lived big.  One of her thoughts as she was saying good bye to her life on the planet was to pass on her jewelry to her sisters and girlfriends.

So last night her husband joined all of the women in her life and gifted us with pieces which she personally selected for each of us.  It was a lovely, generous gesture and we could see that her husband was touched by hearing more fond memories from each of us about his wife.  He’s just in the baby steps of the grieving process and we’re happy that he’s joined a grief group where he can share with people who really get it.

That’s what we do in the 12 Step Programs – share with people who really get it, who know what it feels like and understand the challenges we face.  Having that companionship on the journey of recovery from any life challenges and losses is a blessing.  We can process the emotions and learn from others what has helped them push through it, and recover.  We are physical beings, and although we are never alone thanks to the support of a Higher Power, we also thrive on the social, tangible contact with other human beings.  We learn the value of humbly sharing our difficulties and joining with others who can help us make our way through the phases of recovery.  It’s a process, not an event, the Programs tell us.  Sharing it makes for a richer experience of life.

Affirmation for the Day – ” I am in good company on the journey. ”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

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Peas

June 29, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our peas bloomed delicate small white flowers a week ago and already there are pea pods ripe for picking!  We sampled them last night for the first time with dinner, and oh my goodness – they couldn’t be any sweeter or more tender.  What a treat!

At first we bit through the shell and then realized that it was somewhat tough and stringy.  Not best for eating.  The protective shell is for just that –  protection.  The peas reminded me of how we come to the 12 Step programs, some of us all tough and tied up in our minds and hearts.  Unyielding to the rest of the world.  We come that way for safety’s sake.  For so long,  maybe decades, we’ve been protecting ourselves from hurt and sadness and the unknown because we don’t know what else to do.

When we arrive in our meetings and find our sponors, hearing the wonderful sharing of our fellows we, ever so slightly, start to soften.  Little by little, the shell of our protective shields are peeled gently back to reveal the genuine sweetness of our true nature – the tender, gentle creatures who came to this planet innocent and in wonder.  We gain courage daily to let that part of ourselves resume, a moment at a time.  We are really quite dear as souls on this earth – even all you big guys.  And we can reconnect to that true nature with the help of our Higher Power, and the fellowship of the programs.  What a great gift to remember ourselves and our natural state.  Sweet like the peas.

Affirmation for the Day – ” I am making progress.”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

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Affirming

September 22, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

affirmation cards

What we say affirms what we will have in our lives.

Over and over, I have seen this seemingly idealistic concept work in my life.  In the past when I spoke of what was wrong, what I didn’t want or like, what I was complaining about – I received more of it.

When this simple principle of caring about and giving attention to what we speak of became part of my conscious awareness, I was compelled to change my focus.  Whatever we focus on grows and multiplies.  Knowing this we become responsible for what we’re inviting into our lives.  Our Higher Power is in control, and we have a part in what is happening.  When my past complaining diminished, thanks to what I was learning in 12 Step programs, I also stopped getting sick all the time.  My choice is to chalk this up to a better attitude and positive talk.  I started looking for the best in people and worked on letting go of expectations.  I affirmed what I wanted in my life, if it was God’s will, and thanked my Higher Power in advance for it.  Then my life changed.  People wanted to socialize with me, jobs started coming to me, people did nice things for me, financially there were no more worries – my life improved.  Formal affirmations still work for me as does choosing how I speak in life.  Focusing on the positive works well.  For me it was an acquired ability.  It’s one of the best things ever taught to me and one which has improved my life.  I’m blessed to be able to pass it on.

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 Affirmation for the Day – ” I am making progress.”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

Course In Miracles Lesson – My holy vision sees all things as pure.

Practice – Father,Your Mind created all that is;  Your Spirit entered into it; Your love gave life to it.  And would I look upon what You created as if it could be made sinful?  I would not perceive such dark and fearful images.  A madman’s dream is hardly fit to be my choice instead of all the loveliness with which You blessed creation – all its purity, its joy, and its eternal, quiet home in You.

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Choosing Solutions

August 5, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

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Each day I find myself presented with opportunities to choose solutions or problems.  Sometimes, my choices seem to lean toward the problem.  Fortunately, in most cases those choices can be redirected to solutions with little damage done.  But, it’s up to us to make the choice – we are accountable for that piece.

Recently, someone in the program chose not to pick up the phone when finding themselves in fear – big fear.  Instead they isolated and focused on activities which only created more fear.  They riled themselves up to the point of storm warning and spun into a tornado of attacks on a loved one who’s stuck in an addiction.  Been there, done that.  Not a solution focus.  And whenever I’ve found myself in that place it causes me regret and more pain than I started with.

So, the solutions are picking up the phone to call anyone in the program when we find ourselves in that place of spinning insanity – or going to a meeting, going for a walk, praying the Serenity Prayer, or the Third Step Prayer, cleaning, gardening, being of service to someone else.  Lately, channeling my upset feelings into decluttering and cleaning interspersed with affirmations has helped my self-esteem, sanity, serenity and the level of peace at home.  Friends have actually commented about how peaceful the house feels.  Perhaps it’s because there’s more room for my Higher Power to work – in me and in the house.

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Affirmation for the Day – ” I am choosing solutions.”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

Course In Miracles Lesson –  I am not a body, I am free.  For I am still as God created me.  Love is the way I walk in gratitude.

Practice – I am not a body, I am free.  For I am still as God created me.  I choose the joy of God instead of pain.  Love is the way I walk in gratitude.  The Holy Spirit is my only Guide.  He walks with me in love.  And I give thanks to Him for showing me the way to go.

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Affirmations

May 12, 2009 · Filed under 12 Step Programs, 12 Steps, AA, Alanon, Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, Sobriety, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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What are affirmations and why say them?  I was introduced to affirmations years ago by a woman in the program who taught me how important what I say can be in how my day goes.  She had read about them in Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Body.”  They were also presented to me in a self esteem and assertiveness class that was part of the family program I attended.  I was working on having a more positive attitude and that included speaking more positively.

Affirmations are statements that affirm what we believe about ourselves or life in general.  Before the programs, my affirmations were often negative as learned from my family and false beliefs about life garnered from unpleasant experiences.  When I started learning about Louise Hay’s affirmations, I saw that they were all positive in words and focus.  While they may have felt uncomfortable to say at first, they grew on me and often made me feel better.  The most difficult affirmation for me to say at the time was, “I am worthwhile without proof.”  I was asked to say it while looking at myself in a mirror.  Ugh!  Initially, it made me cringe to do it.  But I perservered and little by little I started believing it.  And my new behaviors supported the affirmation.

Now I say affirmations daily.  My favorite is, ” I am completely loveable.”  It always makes me smile and it does influence my attitude and how I show up in life.  Whenever I notice a less than positive attitude cropping up in my speech or behavior, a quick affirmation can blow it away like a feather and replace it with a sunny disposition.  Or I pop in Louise’s new movie “You Can Heal Your Life,” – it’s great.  I feel happy and look happy.  People smile at me because I’m smiling at them – even when I don’t mean it at first.  Affirmations change me for the better, and help me be of maximum service to God. 

To purchase Louise Hay’s Books and Movie see – Links I Like  

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Affirmation for the Day – ” Life supports me.”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

Course In Miracles Lesson – I loose the world from all I thought it was.

Practice –  I loose the world from all I thought it was and choose my own reality instead.  I who remain as God created me  would loose the world from all I thought it was.  For I am real because the world I see is not, and I would know my own reality.

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Attitude

April 17, 2009 · Filed under 12 Step Programs, 12 Steps, AA, Alanon, Recovery, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

Church

Framing the day makes all the difference in my attitude.  Waking to the day starts with a gratitude list, meditation and The Course In Miracles.  The prayer is the 3rd Step prayer –

 “God I offer myself to Thee, to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.  Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will.  Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love and Thy way of life.  May I do Thy will always.”

Then I feed the cat and start my activities.  Sometimes I really don’t want to pray that prayer, because I want what I want when I want it.  However, if I can get out of myself just long enough to remember that when I turn things over to a Higher Power my life happens effortlessly, saying the prayer is a breeze.  I get what I need which is often much better than what I wanted anyway.  It really means that I got out of fear, and into love.

Then I can focus on expecting miracles!  Saying affirmations changes my attitude in an instant if I get off track.  So quick!  So simple! 

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Affirmation for the Day – ” I love and approve of myself.”

Remember to say the affirmation at least 3 times whenever you remember it, preferably in front of a mirror.

Course In Miracles Lesson – Truth will correct the errors in my mind.

Practice – Truth will correct the errors in my mind, And I will rest in Him Who is my Self.

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Gratitude

April 12, 2009 · Filed under 12 Steps, Recovery, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , ,

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It’s a beautiful day!  There’s much to be grateful for in my Gratitude List today which starts with the heading “I am grateful for…”

Then I list 25 things, people, situations to be grateful for in my notebook first thing every morning, before I get out of bed.  Today I’m grateful for the love in my life, the sunshine, the warmth just starting where we live and the plans with friends to share meals and fellowship later today.

Great way to frame my day!

Happiness is a more helpful choice each day.  Despite the fact that it would be easy to focus on the behavior of others and then feel frustration, hurt, impatience or anger, I would so much rather focus on being happy.  Happiness actually takes less energy to feel than the fear emotions.

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Affirmation for the Day – ” I am happy.”

I say my affirmations 3 times consecutively.  Louise Hay suggests using a mirror.  It feels funny at first, then it starts feeling more comfortable – and it makes the affirmation more powerful.

Course In Miracles Lesson  – I share God’s Will for happiness for me,  and I accept it as my function now.” 

Happy Easter and  Blessed Passover.

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