Did you know that words have the power to change your life? A simple choice of words can help you bring about a positive change in any aspect that you want, be it physical or emotional. Many youngsters are now writing or saying affirmations that can bring about the change they desire.
WHAT IS AN AFFIRMATION?
According to hypnotherapist Shelly Prabhakar, “Affirmations in simple terms are clear instructional statements. Affirmations are a way of changing one’s thoughts, habits, and perceptions by means of repeating or writing a statement I believe in or something that I want. They give direction and act as guidelines to the mind specifically in cases where one feels stuck or is unable to find ways or steps to achieve what is desirable.”
Karmic reader Nishi Singh explains, “I have seen affirmations work miracles. It is like feeding the subconscious mind with words. Always to be said in a present tense, for example, those who want to quit smoking can repeat, ‘Yes, I have stopped smoking now’ before sleeping as at that time our brain energy is more empowered to assimilate what we are saying.”
DO THEY WORK?
Nishi says affirmations do work. “I have seen smokers who stopped smoking. I have seen people turn around their lives. There is a sharp shooter who wanted to win a bronze medal, but was intimidated by the competent shooters around him. He started saying the affirmations, and within few months, he won a bronze medal as desired in Hyderabad,” she shares.
Vidisha Singh, a student, says, “Some years back things were not turning the way I wanted to in my life and then one day I decided I will be positive no matter what happens and that helped me behave patiently and positively. Affirmations play a very important role with so many transitions in life they help us become stronger and have a positive approach towards life. And these repeated words make us believe that life doesn’t stop and we can only better it with our conviction.”
Shelly adds, “They work on a simple principle of believe-repetition-conditioning-habit formation. They are no “magic wands” that we get what we want at the click and neither do they work on a deadline. The mind does what is instructed without judging right or wrong. Like thoughts attract feelings which further bring about certain circumstances and attract like-minded people. So the choice is ours, positive or negative chain? Affirmations are fed in, practiced repeated till they become part of our thinking. For eg. Learning Alphabets from A-Z. When was the last time you practiced them? Now they are part of you and you will never forget it. Even though we might have learnt them in kindergarten, but we have been practicing them in some way or the other and now they are in our minds forever. Similarly affirmations need to be practiced/repeated/written followed till they become our pattern of thinking. They are helpful in all areas like relieving stress, gaining self confidence, improving our self-esteem, relationships and even in helping to lose weight. However, repeating/writing that “I lose eight kg in two months” is not how affirmations work. They will help in choosing the steps to achieve it, motivate the person to follow the steps.”
“I was not being able to sleep, due to a broken relationship and a rough ride with illnesses, but I told myself, that come what may I will tide over this and I did,” says Gautami Kapoor, 17.
Affirmations certainly helped Priyanka Vasishth block negative thoughts. She reveals, “They give me mental peace. When you say affirmations, you don’t let your mind wander. When I eat, I bless what I am eating, similarly, when I spend I affirm that the money should go to right place and come back to me 100 times more.”
Saumya Bhatia
The Asian Age