Accentuate the Positive

We've been talking about clearing our space and our minds for creative pursuits in the last couple of posts.  But whenever you clear an area energetically, you need to replace the negative with the positive.  Otherwise it is so easy to slip back into patterns that are familiar even if they do nothing beneficial for us.  There is a comfort in the known versus whatever new and positive energies you might bring in.  Thus change, all change, takes commitment, practice, dedication and patience.  If you don't get it right the first time, there's always the next time and the journey is more important than any distant destination.

In practical terms, that means being proactive when it comes to those negatives we say or think about ourselves.  This involves a little insight into ourselves and what we truly want. So the first step in formalizing affirmations is to decide what issues you want to work on.  What is one thing you could change about yourself or the way you work or your career?  One issue many writers have difficulty with, particularly those without contracts to keep them on track, is scheduling time to write.  You might make an affirmation that goes something like this:  I find one hour each weekday in which to write.

Formulating affirmations:

Affirmations are usually goal related, not always in the sense of bringing about a particular outcome, but in the sense that they serve a particular purpose.  If you want to stop the voice in your head that says you are a terrible writer or so-and-so has a better career than you do, you want to give the voice something more helpful to say, such as my skill at writing continues to grow or I am confident about my writing.  My career is moving in the direction I desire or My career is taking off now.


Affirmations are formulated in the affirmative.  You write them as if what you want has already taken place.  You do this for two reasons.  First, repeating something like I want to be a better writer puts you in a state of perpetual lack.  We all know becoming a better writer or having a more prolific or profitable career is a journey.  You could be doing better tomorrow than you are today and your affirmation would still be true.  This is true for most instances where you might use affirmations.  The idea is to honor the process as well as the goal.

Second, affirmations work best when you approach them with an attitude of gratitude.  Be grateful for what you have achieved so far, for who you are.  Be grateful and know you are deserving for all the good that is to come. The good you help bring about.  But remember, this is not the time to declare yourself the king (or queen) of the Universe, but express qualities in yourself you value or are seeking to develop.

Using affirmations:

Once you formulate your affirmations, you don't have to wait until negativity strikes.  Be proactive again.  When you think about your writing or when you sit down to write, state your affirmation.  Repeat it a few times (at least three) until you feel its energy.  Spend some time in front of the mirror repeating your affirmations.  If you do work with crystals you can write your affirmations on index cards and place a quartz or other crystal on top of them to help empower them.  But don't berate yourself if you find negative messages creeping in.  Just brush them aside and focus on the positive.   

Good luck in creating and using your own affirmations.  If you come up with one you'd like to share, please leave a comment.