I have a chalkboard wall in my bedroom.  It’s my positivity wall, some might call it a vision wall.  Only uplifting, positive words and thoughts are allowed on my wall. Sometimes there are, new to me, words that I find interesting, like coddiwample.  To coddiwample is to travel with great purpose toward a vague destination. What a great word! Sometimes there are goals on my wall. Right now, it says “bonjour mes amis”, the goal being a visit to France.  Sometimes my kids and grandkids write positive things on my wall. I love it when they do!

Mostly though, my wall has affirmations on it.  Affirmations are emotional support statements and encouragement to oneself.  Affirmations build us up by helping us believe in the power of our words and positive thinking.  Here are some of mine.

• I am fearless
• I am loveable
• I am beautiful
• I believe in myself
• I live in this moment
• I forgive myself for not being perfect.
• I am grateful for the gift of this day
• I deserve the good
• I am unique and wonderful
• I  make my own choices and decisions
• I am doing my best and it is enough
• I am happy
• I am full of love and compassion
• I am the author of my story

Want to make your own affirmations? Following are some guidelines.

1) Your affirmation must only have positive words. If yours has words like, can’t, don’t or won’t, reword it.

2) Your affirmation must be present tense. Even if it is not true right now, repeating it will train your brain and motivate you.

3) Your affirmation should be relevant.

4) Your affirmation should be specific.

5) Repeat your affirmation. There are no set rules as to how many times or how often to repeat your affirmation.  Be focused when you are repeating it and repeat it regularly.  Do what works best for you.

At first, you will have to make a conscious decision to repeat your affirmation. It is said that it takes 21 days of repetition for an affirmation to make its mark on your brain.  Shoot for at least 1 month. At some point, your brain will automatically go to the positive thought.  Think of it as you are training your mind the way a bodybuilder trains their body. It’s really up to you to do the work.

Don’t forget –