Thoughts of fear, dread, and worry are all around us. It takes some resolve and focus not to be drawn in and down into that negative way of looking at life. Sometimes, when I am feeling like I cannot get away from my own negative thoughts, I get in my car with the singular intention of “talking it up”. I think of a bunch of affirmations (like the ones below) and start talking out loud in my car. I tell myself how wonderful I am, how my life is working so well, how opportunities are all opening to me now, how healthy, wealthy and happy I am. I talk this way until I feel the shift in my emotions and energy, and always go back home feeling better (sometimes I even get my car washed just to remind myself that I am now also cleaner on the inside!).
I know that affirmations work, and I love stories of how people have overcome seemingly impossible situations to live fuller, richer lives. In The Master Key System, (written in 1912) the author tells the story of a little boy who did this for himself. The set of affirmations that he came up with are truly wonderful. He looked at the areas of his life that were not working and affirmed what he wanted, instead of what he feared.
“A letter from Frederick Andrews offers the following insight:
I was about thirteen years old when Dr. T. W. Marsee, since passed over, said to my mother: “There is no possible chance, Mrs. Andrews. I have made a special study of these cases, and I know there is no possible chance for (your little boy) to get well.”
My mother turned to him and said: “Doctor, what would you do if he were your boy?” and he answered, “I would fight, fight, as long as there is a breath of life to fight for.”
That was the beginning of a long drawn-out battle, with many ups and downs, the doctors all agreeing that there was no chance for a cure, though they encouraged and cheered us the best they could. But at last the victory came, and I have grown from a little, crooked, twisted, cripple, going about on my hands and knees, to a strong, straight, well-formed man.
Now, I know you want the formula, and I will give it to you as briefly and quickly as I can.
I built up an affirmation for myself, taking the qualities I most needed, and affirming for myself over and over again, “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy.” I kept up this affirmation, always the same, never varying, till I could wake up in the night and find myself repeating, “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy.” It was the last thing on my lips at night and the first thing in the morning.
Not only did I affirm it for myself, but for others that I knew needed it. I want to emphasize this point. Whatever you desire for yourself, affirm it for others, and it will help you both. We reap what we sow. If we send out thoughts of love and health, they return to us like bread cast upon the waters; but if we send out thoughts of fear, worry, jealousy, anger, hate, etc., we will reap the results in our own lives”. From The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel
