I love myself.
I approve of myself.
All is right in my world.
I am change.
I am safe.
I am happy.
I am healthy.
I live with ease.
I am filled with lovingkindness.
I start most of my days with thoughts of gratitude. I think of people first, often the ones I find most challenging to find peace with, then I turn to the things and circumstances in my life that make it amazing. I thank God for the obstacles and the tools He has given me to overcome them.
Then I spend time stretching and saying the above affirmations out loud. I concentrate on breath and the feelings in my body as I hold each stretch through the affirmations. I listen to myself, both my mind and my voice, as I speak each sentence. I let them guide my intentions for the day, show me what I need.
Meditation can be difficult for me. When I began regular practice months ago, I used music and a 13-minute timer to help clear my mind of the usual morning clutter. I let go of the music in the spring to let birdsong in the windows and eventually dropped the timer as my affirmations developed and I added stretches and muscle work.
I don’t get to it everyday and have yet to find a routine for our road trips, but I practice more than 20 minutes most days. I’ve also added occasional yoga classes as I’ve observed improvement in my physical state and desire to dedicate more time towards caring for and improving my body.
I want to thank Hunter Clarke-Fields for starting me on my affirmations. I found her at the beginning of my positive parenting quest and she got me speaking out loud about what I wanted for myself and my children. After reading Louise Hay, I modified the affirmations to fit my personal journey. I also want to thank the folks at Yoga U, the intensity of the classes has been invigorating and refreshes my mind, body, and spirit each time.
God bless and thank you for reading,
Jason