I share lots of affirmations on Facebook and in my articles. In today’s turbulent world, I find that reading and sharing positive messages keeps me feeling better about life in general.
But other than creating this ‘feel good’ nature, is there something deeper to repeating affirmations?
Years ago, when I was first introduced to affirmations, I thought they were a bit silly. Why express how wonderful my life was when I was not feeling it? My mind was still stuck on “That’s not true — you are such a liar!”
Over the years, I discovered there is a deeper reason to focus on positive affirmations: It aids in changing the way we think about life.
We are products of our environment. During our growing up years, we pick up phases and beliefs that we carry around with us through life.
One of my beliefs, that I learned at a very young age, is that there was not enough money. I still hear in my head: ‘Money does not grow on trees’. Of course, in all fairness, my parents grew up during the depression and I am sure they heard something similar from their parents.
But the more time went on, I realized negative thinking was influencing my 
ability to move forward in my life.
Study on Negative vs. Positive Thinking
In a 1998 Ohio State University study, John Cacioppe, Ph.D concluded that our brains are more influenced by negative thoughts than positive thoughts. When we are constantly fed the same negative message over and over again, we not only internalize the information, we change our brain’s neural pathways. (The movie, What the Bleep Do We Know? demonstrates this process.)
When we continue to focus on the negative, we see more and more negative in our life. A terribly destructive cycle begins to form in our minds.
So how do we change our old ‘programming’? Through positive affirmative prayers
What does this prayer do?
- It can help you change your thinking thus change your life and reality!
- It can rewire your brain to respond and act on the positive rather than the negative!
- It changes your brain wiring and even your DNA! (see article here)
More coming in Part Two!
6 thoughts on “How Affirmations Changed My Life, Part One”