SELF TALK

SELF TALK

Handwritten statements on the front page of a beautiful gold and navy journal, a gift from a dear friend, bear witness to how the occupants of my home endeavor to live a drama free life. The statements, read almost daily, remind us of how we want to treat each other and others, spell out our core beliefs and end with a short prayer added two years ago. These AFFIRMATIONS are the foundation of our relationship and our home. The journal remains in our living space as a reminder throughout the day of our foundation.

I ran across a thought about personal affirmations that said, “Affirmations help to achieve a sense of safety and hope.” I paused to ponder – affirmations for safety and hope?

Here’s what I know I am good at doing; highlighting my negatives, denying my positives, and disliking when others highlight their negatives or deny their positive attributes. I wonder, “do they really believe that about themselves or is it something else? You give it a name. For me to do it would be to name myself.

“An affirmation is a strong positive statement that something is already so.” Shakti Gawain

Humans can speak positive affirmations about negative things that are so as well.

My friend sent a text saying that we should have a phone conversation about a topic discussed in my book written several years ago. We arranged a time to talk and did we ever talk. We covered the topic of our agenda and more… too many to recall. One statement made struck a chord deeply. “I know this about myself, I can’t do anything quickly. I think and re-think everything. Every “T” must be crossed, every “I” dotted before I act. I haven’t always been this way, and I don’t like it,” she said. Why do you do it then?” was my response.

Pondering the Gawain quote triggered the memory of our conversation. My friend has un- intentionally but successfully figured out wording to affirm her negative behavior. Where is the positive? “I know this about myself.” Knowing yourself is always positive even when what you know is negative. Perhaps a little self-digging is warranted. Perhaps she finds safety in knowing what she is going to do when faced with a decision to make? Perhaps she finds hope knowing that eventually she will decide.

I couldn’t tell you about her without seeing myself. Why have I spent the last several years affirming myself as a dilettante (a person with an amateur interest in the arts)? It is past time for me to let go of that fallacy and affirm who and what I am. There, I feel safe having affirmed that I am more than a casual student of the arts and there is hope for my future.

Proverbs 4:23                    

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---My affirmation of my personal self-worth minimizes the potential that others will try do so.