By Kay Packard
Welcome back for another look at affirmations. This is part three of a four-part series. Your life could be forever changed by taking this topic to heart.
An affirmation is any thought or word you give life to whether positive or negative. In part two (2) of four (4), three steps for improvement were illustrated; Identify core issues, Eliminate limiting thoughts and Reinforce with positive thoughts and words.
You’re now well on your path to accelerating the affirmative and seeing results. Uh oh, a speed bump! Outside factors can derail you if you’re not prepared. External factors come in three forms – maybe more: Partner, Parent, and Environmental. If we miss the road signs, the flags and the flag workers, we might drive right into the hole – again.
Let’s get prepared. You’re up; your partner is down. You’re affirming the positive; he’s pessimistic. No problem. There is no need for defense, just discrimination. Notice the cynicism coming head-on like a Mack truck. Don’t let it ruin your day. There is no need to change another’s mind set -or the course of the Mack truck – for you to continue on your optimistic highway. You simply need to modify your route. Mac splat is not a pretty site. You always have options.
Suggestions shared during my workshops to connect with the nay-sayer are, “Stop, don’t speak things into being, “ “Keep that to yourself,” “How would you like this to look,” “What is another way of seeing this?” “What is the gift in this?” and “I will lead by example.”
Interacting with others is a fabulous learning opportunity. Adapting and connecting can be mastered with awareness and multiple attempts to see from another’s perspective without loosing our positive approach.
Parents also present an occasion for positive and negative association. You may recall a few of the words and phrases expressed by your mother or father; positive or negative. Look to see which memories serve you. Recall those which take you to your higher ground. Assess your perception of any degrading and belittling statements to see if they are true and where they came from. Many of our parents and guardians were in extreme survival mode. Did they want the very best for us? Most likely they did. However, their style and motivations may have been much different than ours. Take a moment to assess your identity and attachment to your parent’s ideals, beliefs and perceptions. We are not our parents.
Remember, our consistent thoughts, whatever they are, become our reality. We absolutely get what we focus on. Think, say and be the person you want to be. My friend, Cathy says, “Watch for stinkin’ thinkin’.”
Let’s look at the environmental factor. Advertisers spend billions of dollars a year to attract you to their products and services. You are attracted through repetition and emotional stimulation. I remember, being a grocery checker at age 17, singing and dancing to the Dr. Pepper delivery man, “I’m a pepper, he’s a pepper, and wouldn’t you like to be a pepper too?” I was hooked on that song and the drink. Wouldn’t you like to have a ‘break today’…at McDonalds? And what about those curious frogs where one said “Bud” and the other one said “Lite”. Catch phrases and musical tunes keep you engaged, interested and ideally spending money.
To get enthused before going out on the town for the evening, one workshop participant tunes in on the song “I’m too Sexy.” Some of the lines are “I’m too sexy for my love, too sexy for my love. I’m too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for your shirt. I’m too sexy for your party, for your party. I’m too sexy for my car, too sexy for my car.” A smile coming to the face reflects an energized body.
Again there is positive and negative stimulation in the outside environment. Latching on to and clenching your positive affirmations is required if you are to live to your fullest life. Unless you grip tightly to your affirmation, “I am living a magnificent, healthy and abundant life,” you might buy into the dramatic advertisements for restless leg syndrome, depression, impotence, insomnia and more.
Give yourself permission to decide which affirmations you’ll own. Watch for outside factors dictating YOUR affirmations otherwise you just might drive head-on into that Mack truck.
Watch for part four of four where you’ll be guided to get more serious about documenting your affirmations.
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Kay Packard is a Guide for Inner Awareness, Personal Freedom and Positive Change. Visit www.kaypackard.com to learn more about her coaching services and techniques.
