Transform Your Thoughts Through Affirmations

By Phil Bolsta

I have always found that an affirmation is much more
effective than a mere petition in drawing inspiration
while composing.

— Johannes Brahms
 

Your thoughts are a powerful, creative force that set the course and tone of your life. We all think thousands of thoughts per day, the vast majority of which are repetitive. Over time, this relentless self-chatter—too often negative and self-limiting—forms the patterns of our thinking.

My thoughts are loving and positive.
I believe in myself and I am unstoppable.
I grow wiser, stronger, and more loving every day.
 

Affirmations help you tame the chaotic rumblings on the edge of your consciousness and replace your negative thought patterns with positive ones. What is an affirmation? It is a positive statement that a specific intention is already true.
 

I see beauty and perfection wherever I look.
The love I radiate to others heals them and brings them peace.
I am blessed with gifts and abilities that enable me to serve the world as only I can.
 

Affirmations are an easy and effective way to reshape the way you look at the world. Train yourself to think more positive, loving thoughts and you will live a more positive, loving life.
 

I choose love in every moment.
I always choose the path of most love.
Everything I do adds love to the world.
 

Affirmations were popularized by Émile Coué, a French pharmacist and self-trained psychologist whose book, Self-Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion, was published in 1920. Known as the “Father of Autosuggestion,” Coué instructed his patients to repeat the following affirmation twenty times, three times a day: “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.” Coué observed that “whatever we think becomes true for us.”
 

The work I do helps heal the world.
I am an instrument of God, humble and steadfast.
I am a source of love, hope, and healing energy to every soul I encounter.
 

The operative word in describing affirmations is “positive”; you must affirm what you do want, not what you do not. For instance, “I no longer spend my money foolishly,” is a constant, negative reminder that you used to waste your money. A better choice is, “I spend my money wisely.” A successful affirmation does not recall past troubles; it is a positive statement phrased in the present tense that states that from this moment forward you are choosing a better way.
 

Everything I do leads to success and happiness.
As I do my life’s work, great abundance flows freely to me.
I gladly and proudly accept all the abundance the Universe has to offer.
 

Notice that the above affirmation was not phrased, “I will spend my money wisely.” If an affirmation becomes a promise to change at some undetermined point in the future rather than a statement that the change has already been made, the affirmation is rendered powerless. Why? Affirming “I will spend my money wisely” implies that, starting that afternoon, or next week, or the month after that, you will finally begin to spend your money wisely. The affirmation becomes a promise you never have to fulfill, a giant loophole that gives you free reign to continue spending your money foolishly until you finally decide that you are ready to act responsibly. If a change is envisioned in the future, that is where it will remain.

 
God’s inexhaustible love flows through me and into the hearts of others.
God, come through my heart, my smile, my eyes to bathe others in your loving presence.
I am lovingly guided to be a force for all that is good and right in the world.

 
Similarly, beginning an affirmation with “I want” announces to the Universe that you are coming from a position of lacking whatever it is you want. Remember, the law of attraction states that the Universe is a giant copy machine; it does not judge your desires, it simply responds to your thoughts by giving you more of the same. Therefore, if you affirm, “I want lots of money,” you will continue to have the experience of wanting lots of money. You will always be “wanting” and never “having” because you are affirming that you “want” the money, not that you “have” it already.

 
I trust and follow my intuitive guidance.
I put forth my best effort no matter the circumstances.
Every setback is an opportunity to gain greater clarity about my life’s work.
 

A powerful way to begin an affirmation is with the words, “I am.” As Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, put it, “What follows the ‘I am’ will always come looking for you. . . . When you say, ‘I am healthy,’ health starts heading your way. When you say, ‘I am strong,’ strength starts tracking you down.” Indeed, the Universe does not judge, it simply responds. “Okay,” says the Universe, “if that is what you are, I will give you experiences that support that statement.” Hence, the affirmation, “I am thoughtful and considerate,” is more potent than “I will be thoughtful and considerate” or “I want to be thoughtful and considerate.”
 

I am a shining example of spiritual and physical well-being.
I am boundless love. I am infinite joy. I am unlimited wisdom.
I am radiant health. I am eternal youth. I am inexhaustible energy.

 
But, you might protest, such statements are not true; you do not spend your money wisely and you are not thoughtful and considerate. So isn’t it dishonest to phrase such affirmations as if you have already made the changes? Not in the least. You are not lying to yourself, you are reprogramming your subconscious; each time you repeat an affirmation, you are positively reinforcing that programming.
 

I am beautiful and I am loved.
I am Spirit. I am a drop of God in a sea of God.
I naturally attract loving relationships into my life.

 
More important, remember that your soul, your essence, that spark of the Infinite within you, is perfect and magnificent, with capacities beyond your comprehension. Therefore, whatever you affirm will indeed be true on the deepest, most meaningful level imaginable. Looking through God’s eyes, you realize that affirmations are simply reminders of your true nature. Even so, if an affirmation feels too grandiose, scale it down to whatever you are comfortable with. For instance, affirm that your loving energy is healing your family instead of the world.

 
I see the beauty in every individual soul.
I take great joy in hearing about the good fortune of others.
I see everyone experiencing the happiness with which I have been blessed.

 
An affirmation is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Gradually, through the consistent use of affirmations, your conscious intent is absorbed by your unconscious mind; you begin thinking and acting in ways that support the affirmation and accelerate its manifestation. Over time, you grow into and finally become the person you wish to be. Indeed, affirmations are more about internal transformation than external outcomes. Telling yourself, “I am thoughtful and considerate” day in and day out cannot help but change your self-image. As you authentically become what you affirm, the affirmation evolves from a desire for change to an expression of gratitude.

 
Everything God sends to me is a treasure.
All the riches of the Universe are as close to me as my next thought.
My success inspires and empowers others to achieve their highest potential.

 
Some people prefer calling an affirmation a prayer. Both are ways of asking for Divine guidance. Whichever term you choose, you will get better results if you phrase your request as if it has already been fulfilled. For instance, instead of pleading, “God, please show me how to control my weight,” affirm, “God, thank you for showing me how to control my weight.” The distinction is a powerful one. It is a question of positioning the carrot stick just beyond your reach versus taking firm control of your life right here, right now.

 
Everything I do, I do for God.
I serve God through service to others.
The instant I set a goal, my angels spring into action.

 
How many affirmations should you use? Whatever number works for you. Whether you start with one or six or twenty, keep experimenting until you arrive at just the right comfort level. How often should you practice affirmations? Twice a day is a good start. If you still feel scattered or anxious, run through them as often as you need to until you feel grounded. For amazing results, use an activity you engage in multiple times a day, such as walking through your bedroom door, as a trigger to repeat your favorite affirmations. As you consciously devote more of your attention to attaining and maintaining attunement with Divine Will, your need for affirmations will diminish.

 
I am immersed in the deep love of God.
The deep love of God is alive and vibrant deep within my heart.
Thank you, God, for bathing me in the healing, protective glow of your deep love.

 
Affirmations can be repeated silently, spoken out loud, or even sung. Some swear that writing down an affirmation significantly increases its power. Be creative and go with whatever works for you. Cover your bathroom mirror and bedroom wall with them. Record them on a CD with a musical background and listen to them in your car or while you do house chores.

 
The wisdom of the world lies within me.
I was born to serve humanity in my own unique way.
I have access to all the creativity and beauty of the Universe.

 
Paramahansa Yogananda recommended that an affirmation be said repeatedly, first in a loud voice, then gradually softer and slower until your voice becomes a whisper. Then keep affirming it mentally only without moving the tongue or lips until you have attained deep, unbroken concentration.

 
God, I welcome your loving spiritual guidance.
Thank you, God, for loving me so very, very deeply.
God, I trust completely in your infinite wisdom and your deep love.

 
Yogananda’s method is powerful because the potency of an affirmation lies not in the words themselves but in your relationship to them. Invest your emotional energy in each word. Inhabit each affirmation and let it inhabit you. Feel it resonate within you until it takes root, repeating it until, as Yogananda wrote, “you finally realize the meaning of your utterance in every fiber of your being.”

 
Not my will, God, but yours.
I surrender my will to Divine Will, unconditionally and with great joy.
Thank you, God, for guiding me to be a messenger of your deep love.

 
Granted, there will be times when circumstances do not allow you to concentrate fully on your affirmations—driving across town, taking a break at work, waiting in line at a grocery store. Even so, practicing affirmations for even a few minutes in less-than-ideal surroundings is still an effective way to center yourself and get back on track.

 
Whatever God brings to me, I want.
I do God’s work effortlessly, with great joy, love, skill, enthusiasm, and humility.
I think and live in ways that guide me to love and serve God in the highest way possible.

 
Creating an accompanying visualization can make an affirmation even more effective. For instance, if you affirm, “Thank you, angels, for laying your hands of light on me and sending me your love and healing energies,” closing your eyes and imagining angels coming to you and comforting you can produce a deep sense of inner peace and well-being.

 
I am deeply attuned to Spirit in each and every moment.
I am safe and protected, for I have great work to do in this life.
I honor my skills by consistently improving them and using them to serve the world.

 
Do not let your affirmations get stale. If you repeat the same ones over and over, you may get into a rut, gradually lose interest, and abandon the practice altogether. Create a list of affirmations that resonate with you, then keep it fresh and meaningful by revising it often. If an affirmation loses its power, replace it with a new one relevant to your current circumstances. Keep your antennae up while reading personal-growth books; when an idea for an affirmation jumps out at you, add it to your collection.

 
Whatever I need to know is revealed to me.
Whatever I need comes to me in divine right order.
Thank you, God, for blessing me with every moment of this sweet life.

 
Affirmations are a wonderful way to neutralize years of bad mental habits and the negative internal chatter that plagues us all. Besides, you’re going to talk to yourself one way or another, so you might as well have something positive to say!

 
I honor God in every moment of my life.
I honor God with every thought, every word, every deed.
I am so honored, I am so blessed, I am so grateful to be loved so much.
 

This excerpt is from Phil Bolsta’s book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World. To order your copy, click here