Success often comes in small steps.  It is a gradual process that can be likened to a dance.  You may start out with 2 steps forward, only to find yourself taking 1 step back, then 2 steps sideways before taking another step forward.  The lateral steps allow time to regain balance and build strength before moving forward again.

This is the dance of positive transformation.  Remember that you are evolving through life and that change takes time.  It is seldom a linear path leading you forward.  Bring compassion to all of your experiences and soften into the disappointment of stepping back.  Acknowledge your humanness and shortcomings.  Trust that you are growing and learning.  A healthy dose of unconditional love and encouragement will help to keep you headed in the right direction.  Slowly but surely, you will witness your beautiful transformation, one step at a time.

What is the biggest gift you can give yourself?  Here are some clues:

It is a 5-letter word that begins with the letter ‘t’ and ends with the letter ‘t’.  Yes, that’s right, t & t!  It’s dynamite and extremely powerful!  It can empower you beyond your imagination!  You cannot buy it but you can build it.  You cannot hold it in your hands but you can feel it.  Everyone wants it and everyone benefits from having it.

Have you figured it out?  Scroll down to see if you are correct.

T R U S T

Trust is the first and most important tip for positive transformation.  Trust is the biggest gift you can give yourself to bridge where you are and where you want to be.  To trust yourself means that regardless what happens, regardless the number of setbacks or obstacles that come your way, you will be successful.  Build trust in yourself one step at a time.

We humans are creatures of habit.  Which habits of yours no longer serve you well?  Which ones risk future wellbeing?  As we approach the end of another year and start a new one, it is a good time to ponder our path towards the future.

Consider your long-term desires and how can you make them happen.  Take some time right now to think about what is really important to you.  This may have changed from the last time you did this, due to expected and unexpected changes in life.  Perhaps a good starting point would be to assess all the changes that have occurred in your life since then.  On a physical level, maybe you are an empty-nester now, struggling with an increasingly difficult relationship, or coping with a physical condition that limits your capacity to be active.  Or maybe you have achieved personal growth and hold different views and values in life now.   Whatever changes have taken place, use them as guides for assessing what is most important for you right now, taking into consideration long-term wellness with advancing age.

As you bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be, the next few posts will offer helpful tips to ensure positive transformation.  Life is a marathon and not a series of short sprints.  Patience, compassion and perseverance are key.  Like a good pair of walking shoes, the tips to follow will offer comfort, safety, and endurance for the road ahead.  Creating change within oneself is difficult but not impossible.  Know that you can break old habits and embrace new ones anytime you set your mind to it!

In this final tip on effective affirmations, recall a time when you could not get a catchy tune out of your head, with perhaps some phrase that automatically played over and over AND OVER again without effort!  Maybe it was a melodic love song that spoke to your heart or an upbeat pop song that brought a smile to your face and energy to your body.  These are perfect examples of effective affirmations that really work.  At an unconscious level, you are affirming something that resonates with the depth of your being.

For instance, if you rehearsed aloud, “I now create the life I love” repetitively throughout each day, a melody would gradually find its way to you just by repeating these very words.  As natural as a songbird sings her melody, you too can find your song and then add body language such as flapping your arms and wrists gracefully as you glide across the floor or wrapping your arms around yourself and swaying to and fro.  I encourage you to try it!   Then patiently await and watch your life gradually change for the better.

Positive affirmations must be phrased in a way that’s as natural as breathing for you.  The most effective affirmations flow from the depth of your being and come through your voice like the melody of a songbird.  What comes most naturally for you will ultimately be the most effective.

If you admire positive sayings of popular authors or mentors but their words do not flow easily for you, they are less likely to be effective due to the strain of reciting it.  For instance, affirmations that are too wordy and complicated such as: “I am a powerful, wise, gifted and significant person who is an important part of healing our planet” may well just deplete you instead of empower you.  Like a songbird trying to imitate a frog, croaking just doesn’t work!

Create positive affirmations that are your ‘songs’ in life – using your words which reflect your authentic nature.

Positive affirmations can change your life in profound ways.  Believe it!  This is another principle to creating positive affirmations that really work.  You must believe your intention is possible!

For instance, if your deepest desire is to reach your true potential, you must be able to imagine yourself doing things you have not yet done.  You must be able to create possible scenarios that lead you to feelings of joy, fulfillment, and success.  If you can see it, feel it, smell it, and taste it, it can be your reality.

Positive intentions help us get back on track when emotions take over.  One way we can set positive intentions is by using affirmations.  Affirmations are powerful tools for regaining balance during difficult times.  In the next few posts, you will discover important tips for creating positive affirmations that really work.

Positive affirmations are not magic.  There is a science behind them and once you understand the basics, your likelihood for success will significantly increase.  One of the most important principles is they must be rooted in love and not fear.  Create personal affirmations from your heart.  Love offers immense power to transform any perceived limitations of the mind.

The dramas of life hurts our soul.  We each need to find a way to walk through life with integrity and kindness, for both ourselves and for others.  We are all interconnected.  When we hurt others, we hurt ourselves.  When we hurt ourselves, we hurt our soul. Healing begins with an open heart and open acceptance of the experience of being human.  Take a moment to reflect on the quality of your energy within.  If peace is not present, perhaps it is time to create positive change.

When difficult emotions take over, it is essential to have a number of healthy coping thoughts to help you regain equilibrium.  Coping thoughts are personal, created by you during times of calm reflection.  Coping thoughts bolster your inner strength to help you bounce back in times of adversity.  Thoughts that release blame and judgement, respect the human experience and offer unconditional love and acceptance are excellent tools for transcending difficult emotions.

Emotions are energy that flow through our body. How long does it take for an emotion to pass through?  According to Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroscientist who had a stroke and recovered fully to write a book about her experiences, it takes only 90 seconds if we do not attach thoughts to the passing energy.

This means grounding yourself and calming your mind by focusing on breath.  Simply observe the energy with a non-judging attitude and open acceptance.  Become aware of what is going on within and consciously choose the role of observer.  The benefits of doing this are immense.  Not only will you gain more control of your life, you will also gain more peace within.