You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective! Have a positive outlook! But, can these words really change our future? And if so, how?

In my childhood and adolescence, I was skeptical. If my brother was born without being able to walk ? how could my attitude or outlook change anything?

As I got older I continued to reflect on a youth seemingly filled with disappointments and doubts. And in talking to my friends and family, I realized I wasn't alone; we've all experienced them. Then, I started taking a good, long look at myself and my feelings:

I realized that my deepest feelings were the ones guiding me forward; challenging me to reach to the depth of what I was able to feel ? happy or sad ? and allowed me to explore the dimensions of my being.

So, why do I share this with you? Through all the laughs, disappointment and sorrow I've learned: We can use the power of our feelings to build a stronger, happier, positive life. I've also discovered a secret way to facilitate this process: Affirmations.

How Affirmations Work

How do affirmations work? They are a simple exercise that can tap you in to this positive, creative part of yourself.

This place is free from your ego (the part of all of us that is a leaky tire in constant need of being filled up from outside sources).

Affirmations are different. They allow you to tap into the secret, powerful, depths of yourself and care for your being by affirming what is there.

Do you feel a calling toward a particular feeling you have been having? Is there something in your life that you need and desire to manifest?

If you can use you mind's eye to creatively visualize you can bring forward all that you desire. How? Simply by "affirming" that it is already here.

Creating Affirmations

The key to the success of an affirmation is its potential or the potentiality of your creative thought.

The laws of the universe will respond then not to your "asking" for what you wish ? for it does not respond to begging or supplication. The universe responds to affirming statements:

I AM BEAUTIFUL!

I AM HEALTHY!

I AM KIND AND LOVING!

Thus, it takes the ideas of creative visualization one step further. It takes a picture from inside your head, a "thought" and creates a statement about this thought in a "word" or verbal format.

Take some time to affirm what is in your heart. What do you wish for? Choose an affirming statement to focus on and place your attention on it:

I AM ABUNDANT!

I AM LOVED!

Applying An Affirmation

So how to make the laws of affirmation work in your life? Let's focus for a moment on the "word" aspect of this "thought, word and action" process.

The words "I am" are a very powerful tool. These words, once again, exceed the ego. "I AM" tells the universe to put the wheels of energy in motion. It tells the universe you are ready to receive your prayer.

Already you can see the importance of this process. I AM Beautiful!

If I write this on an index card and place it in my pocket, write it several times in my notebook, say it out loud to myself: What happens? I manifest beauty! I feel beautiful.

Waiting The Results In Peace

Once you have affirmed and written you intentions and spoken them, the "action" needs to come from you. Think: If I already had the thing I wished for, what would I do?

For example: if I am beautiful ? I need to ask myself: Am I wearing beautiful clothing? Is my make-up on? Am I honoring my body with exercise and nutrition? And if not: I need to take a long look at how I am treating myself ? If I wasn't feeling beautiful before, perhaps treating myself better is what I need to heal.

Take a moment today to focus on what you need to heal. Then apply the Thought ? Word ? Action process. I think you will find it to be a powerful tool.

For more information on the beauty of affirmations please check out Louise Hay's Power Thought Cards: www.hayhouse.com

Also highly recommended is Dr. Wayne W. Dyers book "There's a Spiritual Solution To Every Problem." A great read.

Remember: Affirm, take action and "wait the results in peace." Continue to remain open to receive and I think you will find that that your blessings will far exceed your expectations.

About The Author

Laura M. Turner is a certified personal trainer and Editor-At-Large of the New Body News eZine. The eZine dedicated to building a better YOU! See the latest edition and subscribe for free: www.new-body-news.com

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