Hi Paul,
I was drawn to your thread for the wonderful title - thanks for your playfulness!
I feel quite strongly about affirmations in that for me they need to be meaningful, I cannot sprout random positive things because it feels superficial and meaningless. But I have one quote a friend wrote for me and it calms me when I read it (maybe a few times a fortnight) - although I think her beautiful writing and that she wrote it on a leaf make it just as special and reassuring as the words do.
I do wonder though, one of my my housemates is into affirmations and reading quotes by successful business people etc. She has a real conviction in them. She makes these projections about her business that for some years have not been realised, but she still says them. And she says things like she has never and would never be depressed, even when she shows signs that appear otherwise. Its interesting because even though it seems to me like she's sort of deluding herself and in denial a lot - I wonder if truly she is happier for it. Like she insists on creating her reality and that bedrock helps her in life.
Gosh I wish i could express my thoughts more clearly, my brain is somewhat hazy (filled with fairy floss?) as of late! Its a good question. Maybe I'll share my favourite sort of affirmation I've said of late to help calm myself and help me get through work when all i want to be is at home in bed, it is:
"i forgive you" (said to myself) its been powerful, i forgive myself for being depressed, i forgive myself for not being when i wanted to be in life, i forgive myself for not having y own family, i forgive myself for being really quite and introverted at times, i forgive myself for being the odd mix that i am. Yes, that feels mighty good. Forgiveness for anything that is undesirable or a struggle about me... un conditionally past, present and future... it seems to free up some energy to try to address the problems and get over the guilt.
Its nice to share on here,
Christina 🙂
