Erica - HER LIFE Magazine

is not new. The repetition of key phrases has played a role inreligion for centuries in the form of chants, mantras and prayers.One of the early secular leaders of the affirmation movement wasthe French psychologist Emile Coue. In the early 1900s Couepromoted his theory of the Laws of Suggestion and encouragedfollowers to repeat the phrase “Every day in every way, I am gettingbetter and better,” 20 to 30 times before going to sleep each night.Affirmations have undergone a recent surge in popularitythanks to a couple of best-selling books: The Law of Attraction byEsther and Jerry Hicks, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Bothbooks center on the idea that positive thinking can lead to greaterhealth, wealth and happiness. Some of the theories in these bookscan be found in earlier classic motivational works including WallaceWattles’ The Science of Getting Rich and Napoleon Hill’sThink and Grow Rich.To form affirmations that have personal meaning, begin by focusingon what you’d like to achieve and what’s important to you.Visualize your ideal life and then form positive statements thatreflect this ideal as a reality. Some people begin by listing theirself-criticisms and then creating affirmations that oppose thesecriticisms. Using affirmation may initially feel awkward, but overtime it will become easier. If you stay committed, you will soonfind that you have the power to reprogram negative thinking andapproach challenges with a winning attitude. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 13