Affirmations

We live in a world of limitless possibilities. Jen Sincero

Living in a world of limitless possibilities has meant that I could get an education. With an education, I could go in many different directions. I wished to help others as I had been helped, and I could do that.

When I made the decision, I knew that it didn’t matter if I made a lot of money doing that. It was just important not to have to struggle so much. After age 10, my mother struggled to raise 6 children.

She went to school when the youngest was in school. I watched her complete a two-year degree program. At the time her choice was to be a secretary. It helped but there continued to be a struggle. She didn’t earn a retirement plan.

Living on Social Security alone in her later years was not enough. 6 of us each took 2 months of the year to send care packages that would help her through the month. When visiting the meals and entertainment were on me.

She was too proud to take any more help than that. She said one time, “I grew up poor. I do not feel poor. My house is paid for, I can buy things for myself when needed, and I watched my children all be successful. I feel like a wealthy person.”

She said, “In our culture, it is not the person who has the most, it is the person who gives the most that is the richest person.” That was my mother!

Drown yourself in affirmations — Figure out which affirmations you need to hear the most and repeat them all day long in your head, in the car, while you’re walking down the street pretending to be on the phone, under your breath in line at the DMV. Jen Sincero

Write them on Post-it-Notes and stick them around your house. Write down your favorite affirmations ten times every morning and ten times every night before you go to bed and say them out loud. Jen Sincero

In the photo above I decided that the affirmation I probably need the most right now is Hello Gorgeous! Why? Because at 70, I tend to look at myself in the mirror with my reading glasses on to see all of the wrinkles and frown lines.

Now, I will take my glasses off, smile and wink and say hello gorgeous! Every time I am in the bathroom, which seems to get way more often the older I get!

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In my 20s, I attended a group of women and one day we painted two signs that said, “I deserve to be happy!” The group facilitator explained that we would all post these signs where we would see them. She wanted us to read each one at least once a day.

When someone asked for how long, she replied, “Until you believe it!”

At the time she said that I thought it wouldn’t take long. It took me 6 months of reading those signs twice a day. I suppose it could have been in less time if I said them more often but I don’t think so.

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When I was teaching a sixth-grade class on alcohol and drug use prevention, I was given a curriculum called Project Charlie. The main theme of the curriculum was this affirmation. “I am lovable and capable” and for short “IALAC”.

This was something that you could see with the kids that would repeat the affirmation. They appeared to have more confidence from the beginning of the class until the end of the curriculum. I don’t know that it served the purpose of preventing alcohol and drug abuse.

I do know that it appeared to give them more confidence and kindness at the time with their classmates.

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Some affirmations I am considering:

I live in a healthy body.

Healing is a journey of faith, hope, and love.

Healing is walking away from darkness and moving toward brighter light.

I have a complete recovery.

I can turn my wounds into wisdom.

Healing is sharing with other people who care.

Laughter and Art in any form is healing and I will do some every day.

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First published by Penny Press on Medium.com