Affirmation

Affirmations are basically compliments that we tell ourselves to eliminate negative thoughts toward ourselves. I am involved in making two lists every morning with two different women. I can see a change happening in my thinking. Gradually I am believing what I write. Similar to a gratitude list, I come up with a list of moments or characteristics in my life that are positive. A few examples of an affirmation are: I am beautiful and strong - I am resilient - I take good care of my mental and physical health - I am a good Aunt and sister. The more I engage in these lists, the more I come to respect and honor myself as a person. I have been working on subjects such as body positivity, respecting my efforts at mental health and sobriety, and honoring that I have good relationships. Different than gratitude lists, the affirmations are things that I can honor that are inside of me, rather than external. Often in my gratitude list, I comment on my shelter, the peaceful island that I live on, my education, the people in my life that I love. Rather, my affirmation lists reflect on personal characteristics about myself. The affirmations are directed inward on who I am as a person.

Negative thinking is something that we all struggle with. I personally can put myself down for being disabled, overweight, mentally ill, tired, messy, and weak. But this is not reality. In reality I am strong, resilient, powerful, beautiful, motivated, capable and productive. It is important that I take the time to rewire my thinking. I need to say positive things about myself every morning, day after day, to retrain my brain. All my life I have told myself that I am fat, even when I wasn’t. I also regularly criticize myself for having a disability. I might compare myself with others who have careers, family, money and property, and/or college degrees, and I feel less than. I am so very rich in reality. I am attractive and beautiful, I have enough and I do enough.

I can also comment on my skills. I am a good writer, a talented poet, and creative in many other ways. I am a good singer and guitar player. I am physically active. I love animals and put a lot of effort into caring for my pets. I am a good friend and go the extra mile to make connections. I am spiritual and I have wisdom. I have healed so much and come so far. But the transformation is gradual. I have to keep giving affirmations to myself day after day, and throughout the day, to recreate a reality where I honor and love myself completely. I want to be a good example for my niece and nephews, and show that it is in style to love yourself. I have developed a life where I am focused on self care, and am living a life of recovery from addiction and mental illness. Right now I am succeeding at that.

Recently, I went on a four day trip with my sister and her kids to Mt. Ranier. We met up with two of Elizabeth’s very oldest friends and their kids at a lake house. It was an amazing time where we created many summer memories. Normally, I would think that I would be unable to weather such a trip due to my disability. It required me to be on mentally and physically for four full days; lots of driving, walking and swimming, and playing with and watching the kids. Luckily, I had a comfortable bed and slept very well. I was able to go to bed at a reasonable hour with the kids and was not tempted to drink. I was amazed at my resilience and capability. Because this four day trip was a success, and I feel fine even after returning home, I am making a plan to quit smoking. I can see that I truly am resilient and strong and that I will be able to physically and mentally handle the withdrawal from nicotine. Before, I was honestly worried that quitting would bring me closer to an episode. I have made a few tries recently and it was very hard. It is possible that telling myself every day in an affirmation list that I am strong, resilient, and capable has helped immensely. Our thinking is very powerful. The hope of being a successful quitter is made possible by my work at being healthy mentally and physically that I have made recently. No doubt, it is also my perspective and my thinking. Believing that I am strong and able, I have become strong and able. Our thinking is powerful stuff.

I plan to continue thinking positively. Every person struggles for various reasons. I am not alone or unique in this matter. If we believe in ourselves, and love ourselves, we will be able to accomplish so much more and be happy while doing it. What I have is faith. Faith in myself, in Steve, in my sobriety, in my family, in people, in life, in my dog etc. This faith, and reinforcing this faith through affirmation, has done wonders. Please find a moment to love yourself today and put distance between yourself and negativity both inwardly and outwardly. Love and acceptance is change. But these are broad topics, get intimate with the simplicity of practicing some simple affirmations toward yourself. It has down wonders for me, and I feel so much better and happier because of it.