Hi Everyone,
For years I wondered how effective affirmations were. To me they seemed to be helpful, but not as powerful as some claimed them to be. If they were, then they would always work.
But it seems to me that as commonly as they work, that they also trigger guilt or other “negative” feelings. I remember times when I felt that there was something wrong with me or the way I was doing it because sometimes very little changed. Other times, over time there were significant changes.
So the question became, what’s the difference? What determines whether they work or not? 
What we hold in our body’s tissues is part of it. I know that different parts of our body hold different experiences and beliefs, usually at a subconscious level. And I realized that if a part of me doesn’t “get” something, then it doesn’t get it and will thus affect every other part of me.
The emotional holdings that we have within ourselves tend to overrun any logic. We have certain needs that are usually governed by emotion. That’s why so many tend to make the same mistake repeatedly. There is a subconscious need fueled by a subconscious belief that is trying to be fulfilled.
So no matter how much we may tell ourselves something that our mind may or may not believe in, it’s not going to know its full fruition as long as the body says, “I’m not buying it.” Affirmations may help to open up new pathways, or they may create new stress as your system lies in conflict.
So what helps an affirmation to work when your body doesn’t believe it, whether consciously or unconsciously?
Have you considered where things of Divine nature start?
Are you able to do anything of your own self?
Or is all that you are and will be because of the Spirit of God within you? 
Have you considered asking God to help open your desired pathways? He’d be more than happy that you asked for His help and help He will. That is who He Is; the Infinite Consciousness of Love that Is.
When I prayed and let go, that ‘s when I noticed the most changes. Not immediately, but noticeably over the right time. When I held an affirmation while in a prayer state, they became reality over time to varying degrees. The extent of the change seemed to be in how much my body believed it as well. But over time, the body would tend to heal and change to the new beliefs as well. But not for the times that I did not hold God in my awareness as I worked the affirmation.
Where an affirmation is a step in the right direction, prayers to our Lord encompass All. Therein lies all the Truth that we need for transformation. God’s Love and wisdom will guide us to that we wish. The result may or may not take on a different look than you expected. But if our prayer comes from our heart, He understands our heart and will guide perfectly true and with perfect timing.
God has 3 answers to prayers that are asked of Him.
A. Yes
B. Not yet.
C. I have something better in mind.
Over time I stopped doing affirmations for the most part because I noticed that I progressed more with prayer alone. I learned to focus on and be open to the infinity of God. And I am still learning.
When we open ourselves to His Knowing and let go of expectations, then we open ourselves to His infinite potential and possibilities. And all with His loving guidance.
I can put my faith in that. I hope you can too. It sure is a lot more fun and involves a lot more uphoria than not trusting Him.
Blessings
Irene
It’s a very gentle and subtle thing, yet profound.
Encouragement builds confidence. It’s an internal growth that develops when one feels encouraged. Confidence comes from within and is the result of proper and timely encouragement as the child grows. The more confident one is, the more self-sufficient and steadfast to who they are to become.
By contrast, praise requires external acknowledgement which creates a dependency on approval from others. The more needy one is for approval, the more they can succumb to the wishes of others due to fear of rejection or not knowing what they truly believe.
Examples of Encouragement vs. Praise:
Praise: “I like what you did.” Encouragement: “Wow, you were very creative with that.”
Praise: ” I’m proud of you.” Encouragement: “I’m happy for you that you had the initiative to work so hard at that. Great job.”
Praise: ” I love that.” Encouragement: ” Those seem like some great ideas. What other ideas do you have?”
The primary difference is the “I” and the “you”. The key is whether the message is geared toward making you happy, or helping the child realize that what they think and feel matters. And asking questions are a huge key to developing encouragement. The partner key is then to actually listen to what is being shared.
Other examples of encouragement might be: “You seem to have some real talent there.”, “Which one feels right to you?”, and “How do you think we should proceed?”
Of course, it all must be sincere or the recipient will see right through it. But it just takes the desire and some practice to retrain oneself to offer encouragement instead of praise.
The development of happy, strong, productive, and emotionally well-adjusted children is key to any prosperous and joyfilled society. Sounds like a Divine goal to me. Least of all, our children are worth it.
God bless our children.
Blessings
Irene
Tags: asking children questions, encouragement vs praise, subtle yet profound
