The Other Side of Positive Affirmations

Someone pointed out to me two days ago that I anticipate the worst happening in most situations. My argument that it wasn’t true died on my tongue as I thought about it and realised I do indeed, and in the most casual way, expect the worst case scenario.

That, to me, is the other side of positive affirmations.

I start my day as a poultry farmer, work through to housekeeper, and mostly end with being a writer.

That’s the routine most days – take care of the farm, handle house chores, and write.

Routines come with patterns, and one of mine (it’s the same for everyone I’m sure) is thinking on how the work day will turn out.

What will happen when I step into the farm?

What state will I find the hens?

How much eggs will today bring?

Mortality, or none?

And it shifts as one work is done and another begins:

Will it rain when I’m billed to do the laundry?

Am I going to be inspired enough to write?

Thoughts and questions that come natural to the thinking mind. But my answers are usually in the negative, that’s what I’ve noticed.

I’m likely to find broken egg shells.

They’ll probably peck a hen to death today.

Oh Lord, what if production is poorer than yesterday’s?

Can I keep up if I keep making losses?

It’s bound to rain, forget whatever the weather forecast says, and my clothes won’t dry.

I’ve been struggling with committing to my writing schedule and today won’t be any different.

And these thought patterns get into everything else.

I’m going to turn on the cable and find my favourite channels missing.

Darn, what if there’s a green snake behind the generator house? (I saw one once, now I’m likely to keep seeing it)

There will be no power today. You can’t count on BEDC.

So and so method works for everyone, but it’s not going to work for me.

The negatives first, and last, all the time, and without any conscious effort. Now I’m wondering if I’m a pessimist (Jeez, I hope not) or just a straight-out realist.

Or a regular human who’s been disappointed way too often and now expects it?

And expecting it, I brace myself by making negative confessions, not positive ones.

Living by faith (whatever your religion) demands you speak good into your day, into your work, into your life. You say it, you believe it, you trust it to be.

People who are dedicated to motivating others, and to mental well-being, recommend positive affirmations on a daily basis. Some say you should make it your mantra – a set of positive affirmations you repeat regularly.

I want that. To put a brake on the compulsive negative thoughts and try out positive thinking. See how it works for me.

I know it’s not going to work like magic. There’s no abracadabra to achieving this sort of change, or any sort for that matter.

It’s going to take deliberate, very intentional, and absolute conscious effort to begin making the change, to stay at it, and to make it my natural go-to way of thinking.

I’ll probably have to do battle inside my mind daily (that’s my realist nature talking now), but repetition makes a habit, doesn’t it?

So, as a starter (I actually started yesterday), I’m going to say:

September will be a good month.

Just that simple affirmation. And it’s a good one. I don’t want to tell you, so not to speak it out, what I usually think when a new month begins.

This month I consciously choose to think… September 2022 is going to be a good month.

I am going to do well in my farm.

I am going to publish, or re-publish rather, that book I’ve been working on for the last ten months.

I am going to stay healthy, and I’m going to stay positive.

I’m going to blog again.

Positive thoughts. I am going to do it. I can, and I will.

Stuff may happen, that’s life. But I can do it, and will do it.

That’s how I’m stepping into September. That’s how I’m turning the page to a new chapter.

And you, do you struggle with the other side of positive affirmations?

Would you like to share some of your positive affirmations?

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Let’s have the best day.