Affirmations for Re-Programing Subconscious Beliefs

Louise Hay says that everything is an affirmation. That means that every statement we use, whether negative or positive is an affirmation…it attracts exactly that energy back to us. So if you say, “I’m stupid,” that’s an affirmation. Say it enough and it becomes a belief. Likewise, if you say, “I’m smart,” the same thing is true. The kind of thinking that accompanies eating disorders often carries these kinds of “affirmations:”

I’m fat.

I’m ugly.

I’m not good enough.

I’m not smart enough.

No one likes me.

I look terrible in everything I wear.

STOP….NOTICE HOW YOU FEEL AFTER READING THOSE STATEMENTS. Notice how your body feels.

Can you imagine encouraging anyone else to say or believe such things?

And yet, we often think or say them to ourselves. We may even find ourselves judging others: comparing ourselves, judging how they look, who they are, what they are doing and the choices they make.

Judgments are another form of affirmations. The more we judge others, the more we fear judgment FROM others.

Try this experiment: Say what Louise Hay says if she catches herself being critical or judgmental about someone else:

“I forgive myself and I forgive you.”

Now feel your heart opening up to that person and feel the forgiveness. Feel the comfort of love spread through your body. Feel your connection to that person and humanity. How does that feel?

Your body responds to these forgiving, loving, comforting thoughts. All of your hormones respond to keep stress at bay — encouraging the state of “rest and digest” instead of the state of “fight or flight”/stress.

What would it be like to spend more time in a state of peace, rather than a state of stress?

Below are some of Louise Hay’s affirmations, from her book: You Can Heal Your Life:

***You can not heal the root causes of addictions, eating disorders, Candida, depression and digestion problems with affirmations.

If you don’t do the core emotional healing and inner child work you will continue to suffer from addictions and cravings, be stuck in unhealthy relationships and treat your symptoms for the rest of your life.

Problem: Addictions

Probable Cause: Running from the self. Fear. Not knowing how to love the self.

New Thought Pattern: I now discover how wonderful I am. I choose to love and enjoy myself.

Problem: Alcoholism

Probable Cause: “What’s the use?” Feeling of futility, guilt, inadequacy. Self-rejection.

New Thought Pattern: I live in the now. Each moment is new. I choose to see my self-worth. I love and approve of myself.

Problem: Anorexia

Probable Cause: Denying the self. Extreme fear, self-hatred, and rejection.

New Thought Pattern: It is safe to be me. I am wonderful just as I am. I choose to live. I chose joy and self-acceptance.

Problem: Anxiety

Probable Cause: Not trusting the flow and process of life.

New Thought Pattern: I love and approve of myself and I trust the process of life. I am safe.

 Problem: Excessive Appetite

Probable Cause: Fear. Needing protection. Judging the emotions.

New Thought Pattern: I am safe. It is safe to feel. My feelings are normal and acceptable.

Problem: Constipation

Probable Cause: Refusing to release old ideas. Stuck in the past. Sometimes stinginess.

New Thought Pattern: As I release the past, the new and fresh and vital enter. I allow life to flow through me.

Problem: Bulimia

Probable Cause: Hopeless terror. A frantic stuffing and purging of self-hatred.

New Thought Pattern: I am loved and nourished and supported by Life itself. It is safe for me to be alive.

Problem: Candida (systemic yeast infection that can be anywhere in your body and affects an estimated 70% of Americans and 80% of people in eating disorders treatment centers)

Probable Cause: Feeling very scattered. Lots of frustration and anger. Demanding and untrusting in relationships. Great takers.

New Thought Pattern: I give myself permission to be all that I can be, and I deserve the very best in life. I love and appreciate myself and others.

Problem: Depression

Probable Cause: Anger you feel you do not have a right to have. Hopelessness.

New Thought Pattern: I now go beyond other people’s fears and limitations. I create my life.

Problem: Gas Pains (flatulence)

Probable Cause: Gripping. Fear. Undigested ideas.

New Thought Pattern: I relax and let life flow through me with ease.

 

STOP…NOTICE HOW YOU FEEL AFTER READING THESE NEW THOUGHT PATTERNS. Notice how your body feels.

(Keep in mind that when you read negative things, it feels pretty bad too. When you write negative, hateful things, it feels pretty bad. YOU get to decide how you spend your time. Notice how your body feels and do what makes it feel better. It will support you in your recovery and enjoyment of life.)

I like how Louise calls the affirmations “new thought patterns” because the idea of replacing negative thoughts, beliefs and language we use every day with these positive ones is that eventually, we create new thought patterns.

Think of a thought pattern or belief as a well worn path in your yard. It’s used so often that the grass is gone and only dirt is there. Everyone uses it to get from one part of the yard to another. The same thing is happening in your brain. If you judge yourself every time you look in the mirror, your brain has developed a well worn path from mirror to judgment. You almost cannot avoid those negative thoughts when you look in the mirror.

So do you break every mirror or avoid them? Maybe for awhile if it helps. But if you do, at least practice a new habit — create a new thought pattern that supports you. As you change your thought pattern, you can live life to the fullest and embrace your beautiful self!

Remember that this process of creating new thought patterns can take time, but YOU are worth the time and effort! Your beautiful, amazing, incredible life is worth it.

Just watch out for self-sabotage when using affirmations. If you already think this won’t work, I can guarantee you it won’t. You are that powerful.