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The Power of Thoughts July 7, 2007 A method used to work toward a goal is the repetition of an affirmation. An affirmation is a goal stated in the present as if it is already a fact like "I am rich!" Affirmations are used to undermine old thought patterns allowing change to take place in your life. They can be used to overcome addictions and bad habits that have been developed over time. We are introduced to habits that don't serve us in our purposes when we leave our actions up to things other than ourselves. Every time you let yourself be under the control of outside forces you give up the special ability possessed by all humans. We can originate our thoughts and therefore control our life since what we think about will determine the actions we will take part in. Life can be left up to chance but when it is then there are no guarantees that what you want will ever come your way. Charles Haanel, a personal development author, believed in the power of affirmations such as this one, "I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy." By suggesting the kind of person we desire to be to ourselves, our unconscious mind will assist in the unfolding of our character. The unconscious mind controls all of the processes essential to life like our heartbeat. It is constantly working and if the person whom you desire to be can be impressed upon it, then behind the scenes it will help us create the change in ourselves that we desire. Your habits are a part of your character that has been impressed upon the unconscious mind, they are automatic and effortless. The repetition of action creates habit. Constructive affirmations that are repeated can help form constructive habits. Your life is a result of your actions that are mostly your habits that ultimately are controlled by your thoughts. Thought is where everything begins. When your alarm rings in the morning the thought "I will get up" will go through your head, that is, unless you like to sleep in, in which case you will think, "I will hit the snooze button." Thinking is equivalent to decision making. You choose what you will do. Habits can be difficult to break because they are often effortless and easy because they are partly under the control of your unconscious. They are under unconscious control because they have been repeated over and over again, making it easier to repeat, and therefore automatic unless we use our conscious decision making mind given to all humans to break the cycle. You must choose to take it one step at a time and replace old habits with constructive habits. As you repeatedly enforce new habits they become easier but new habits will never manifest until you decide which new habits you would like to possess, and then how you will go about repeating and practicing them. Following is a good affirmation for starting the process to control your life, "I am using the power of my conscious will to direct my own thoughts, create my own habits, and lead my own life." I encourage you to reword it into a similar statement and begin to affirm it to yourself whenever you can. Memorize the statement or carry a card with you with the affirmation written on it. Then, choose a method of deciding when to repeat the affirmation. You may choose to have it posted somewhere in view so you may repeat it each time you see it. You may choose a similar method that is talked about in The Secret, for a slightly different purpose, which is to carry a rock with you in your pocket. Whenever you touch the rock repeat the affirmation. This will cause you to repeat it at least in the morning, when you place the rock in your pocket, and at night, when you empty your pocket. However you go about doing it, repeat the affirmation on a regular basis. Now, act on the affirmation from above, "I am using the power of my conscious will to direct my own thoughts, create my own habits, and lead my own life." Decide on the type of person that you would like to be and create your own affirmations about being that person. Also, work on creating new habits that that particular person would possess. You will be well on your way to becoming the great person you were made to be. Joshua Schwarz