Affirmation: By Definition a Positive Attitude and Force for Positive Thinking

I'll never forget my introduction to the definition of a positive attitude fueled by the power of affirmations. I was attending a weekend retreat for adult children of alcoholics. To provide a sense of closure to the time we had spent together, the leaders of the retreat wanted to end our discussions on a positive note.

Half of the attendees were seated in a line of chairs while the remaining participants stood behind the chairs. As soft music played in the background, those left standing were instructed to whisper a positive statement in the ear of each seated person as they slowly moved down the line. When they neared the end of the row, they circled around to the beginning of the line, always staying out of view of those receiving the messages.

We were left to our own resources as to the pronouncements we delivered; the only definition was that they were to be uplifting, life-affirming statements that acknowledged the good that was in each of us. I vaguely remember being paralyzed at the thought of having to be both creative and positive. I have absolutely no recollection as to what I uttered during those few minutes.

When it was my turn to be seated, I still had no idea what I was about to experience. The music started to play and to this day, I can still hear a woman's voice in my ear saying ever so delicately, but ever so affirmingly, "You deserve to be happy." My soul melted and I sobbed through each remaining message; "You are a wonderful person. You make this world a better place. It's not your fault." I was praying for it to stop just so that my heart wouldn't explode.

From that day on, I have never doubted the awesome power of positive words, whether spoken to others or to oneself. I learned to say, "I am" instead of "I should." Years before, a wise woman had told me to stop "shoulding" on myself; I had no idea what she meant until my soul was lifted out of that chair while listening to the faceless voices that affirmed my place in the world and helped me to claim the journey that was mine.

Let the awesome strength of affirmations enrich your life. Say the words…hear the words…feel these steps of positive thinking as they permeate your soul and express themselves through your every action. Allow yourself to open up to the positive essence that is you. You deserve to be happy.

Donna McLaughlin Schwender is the "soul proprietor" of One-Eared Dog, Ink. As a freelance writer living in upstate New York, she can be reached at schwender@aol.com.

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