Many of us start the New Year with optimistic goals,  resolutions and intentions.  Realizing these goals and intentions begins with the power of your thoughts.  As Henry Ford stated, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”   A great way to utilize the power and influence of our thoughts is with the use of positive affirmations.

Affirmations are based on the fact that we all experience a steady stream of thoughts, “self-talk” and affirmations every day.  You know… that internal dialogue that might go something like… “why did I eat that whole pint of ice cream? , “I’m so stupid… or fat… or ….fill in the blank”.  Often times, this self- talk tends to be negative, as opposed to positive encouraging self-talk.

Here is where the positive of positive affirmation comes into play.   Positive affirmations take that self- talk and use it in a…well, positive way.  Instead of our mind getting the signal that we’re bad or not good enough, our mind is assured like Stuart Smalley’s (from the great 90s Saturday Night Live skit) —  “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”.  And Stuart’s affirmation skit isn’t just fun – it works and there is science to back it up.  Here’s how it works…

Our subconscious mind does not differentiate between what we tell it and actual reality.  Our mind processes self-talk or affirmations as being real – and uses its powerful creative ability and that of the nervous system to actualize these affirmations.  The world renown motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, describes it like this, “By repeating an affirmation over and over again, it becomes embedded in the subconscious mind, and eventually becomes your reality. That is why you need to be careful what you think and believe, because that is exactly what you will get!”

Affirmations are also supported by the science of neural operation in your brain.  Basically it is summed up in the phrase, Neurons that fire together, wire together.  When affirmations are practiced regularly, they reinforce a chemical pathway in the brain, making the connection between two neurons stronger, and therefore more likely to conduct the same message again.  So make sure that message is positive.

One of my favorite experts on affirmations is author, Louise L. Hay.  She sums up affirmations in a beautiful way…  “Every thought you think and every word you speak is an affirmation.  All of our self-talk, our internal dialogue, is a stream of affirmations.  You’re using affirmations every moment whether you know it or not.  You’re affirming and creating your life experiences with every word and thought.”

To learn more, join me in February for an Affirmations workshop.  Also check out my newsletter articles “Create Your Own Positive Affirmations” and “Positive Affirmations for Relaxation”.

And as you move through the New Year, with great intentions and aspirations — remember the power of your thoughts and self-talk.  And use some positive affirmations to create a fabulous 2012 and beyond!