Affirmations are wonderful. I love words. So stringing them together in order to create a statement that supports who I am is a win win. The challenge for me, in the past, has been that I didn't always believe what I was saying. Sure, I could read the words that said I was an amazing person, mom, teacher, etc., but I didn't necessarily believe that deep inside. That's a problem because with my rule being go authentically or don't go at all, I couldn't continue to lie to myself.

Imagine my eye rolling when I found out that affirmations were a big part of Belief Re-patterning. Luckily, that didn't last long because I realized we weren't going to say things we didn't believe. We were going to shift the pathways in our brains so that we COULD believe the words being said. Phew, because otherwise I was going to have to skedaddle.

To affirm means to say something is true in a confident way. That can be very challenging when one may be not be aware of what to affirm because their beliefs are in the way. Some beliefs are wonderfully supportive like the affirmation calendars suggest, but some can be downright annoying. These beliefs, which we are taught or shown while in this human process, most of them in childhood, may not necessarily be our own. So how does one figure out how the heck to sort it out? Well, you can come see me and/or you can start listening to how you feel or what you say. These two will give you the affirmation that you are supporting yourself or you may be diminishing self.

I know for me, I couldn't say I was good at anything for the longest time. I am in the process of learning how to promote myself and find it awkward at times but I like teaching my brain new things. The affirmation stage of Belief Re-patterning, the amazing technique for shifting your beliefs from critical to supportive, is one of clarity for many people.

In this stage we are taking the approach of looking back at what we have done well, or a solid footing, to help reinforce the knowledge that you can be a coach to yourself and experience emotions that remind you of your greatness. For instance, I remember when I was scared you know whatless, but I still stepped on stage at the Colonial and did three successful shows. I remember the feeling of euphoria of being on stage and gratitude that all these people were sharing their Sunday's and emotions with me. This helps me to this day when I have to do something that both scares and excites me.

I also like to remind myself in the affirmation stage that I learned to tie my shoes and that seemed like a big deal at the time, so I can learn to do anything today. It really helps to have a specific memory and something you experienced to transfer whatever may be going on now to a state of knowing we are capable.

What have you done in your life that you remember feeling, "Wow, I did that!" or "I remember thinking _________ was going to be hard, and I accomplished it." “I can do _____________ today."

If you can't find something, at the risk of sounding redundant, come see me, you may borrow from someone else in order to propel yourself into a supportive energy. "Josie really goes for what she wants in this life. I am learning to be adventurous like she is." I firmly believe that if we recognize a characteristic in another, we have that same characteristic within us otherwise we wouldn't see it. Be willing to see what you have within and affirm that you can create new pathways to change the perception which will change the habit.

Once we get into the habit of collecting information that substantiates our value and abilities, the brain calms down and the emotional centers get happy. Don't you want happy emotional centers that automatically support you even if life gets bumpy? Then they need to be trained again. It's ok, your soul and mind want to be happy too. They will be willing to help.

For this week, catch yourself doing something that feels good, affirms your abilities or delights you. Reinforce that feeling by saying “I know myself to be ________. I give this gift to me often!"

I am so grateful to all of you for taking the time to read my blog.  It truly affirms what a great community I have all over the world. I am blessed. (Affirmations I believe wholeheartedly.)

Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

I have heard some self help educators refer to humans as onions. We learn and then there is another layer or depth to the lesson in which we must learn some more. Oh good grief. Onions make me cry, why would I want to be compared to an onion? Why, when there are so many good vegetables out there, would I pick one, that admittedly I love to eat, as the metaphor to inspire me to grow? It doesn't. They smell. I don't want to smell.  I feel this is another way to make sure we feel crappy about self awareness and to take the joy out of discovery of what makes us complex, amazing human beings.

What if we go with the pomegranate instead? Have you had them? They are amazing little fruits. A beautiful color, fascinating design and producer of so many delicious seeds. I like that they are a little complex themselves. Without a YouTube video or culinary school training, how the heck do you get to those seeds? Well, you have to want to first of all. If you don't want to do the work to get the seeds out, you will probably leave them in the bin and go for the ready to eat apple. This is more like life than the onion, I believe. If one doesn't want to know what they have inside, they will continue to take the seemingly easier road until such time that they become bored or have an experience that knocks them on the head to pay attention. Hello....Sir Isaac Newton is a great example of this!

The pomegranate can be peeled, sectioned or cut and placed in a bowl of water to get to those seeds of yumminess. It isn't a one size fits all fruit, just like people. We all have a different experience that helps us be who we are today so one way of looking at a situation is not going to work for everyone. Who knew fruit was so smart?

Do you ever feel like you are constantly working on yourself but don't feel like you get anywhere? Peeling back those layers that the onion metaphor refers to? There have been times where I will become aware of a discord in my system and feel it to be familiar, like something I have worked on over and over and over again. I want to smack myself in the head when this happens, I don't, but I want to. Seeing it show up when you thought you learned whatever it was can be frustrating or it can be liberating. It can be painful and make you cry sad tears or it can be so beautiful and full of wonder, it has you crying happy, relief filled tears. I believe if we are willing to look inside the shell of our own fruit filled selves, we would be amazed at what a beautiful pattern is there.

As part of my certification with Belief Re-patterning, I have to use the technique in my own life and when necessary connect with those that are qualified as well to do additional sessions. It is important to know how it feels to do re-patterning and it is important to me to keep growing. Plus, this stuff works!

This week I ran into a familiar block and I was ready to thump myself on the head! Luckily, I had a session scheduled with the woman who created the technique and she, with humor, helped me realize I could continue to feel the old way or I could shift it and feel free of old patterns and create a new one. Guess which one I chose? Correct! Let's live life from the supportive side of the line shall we?

I could have lamented about how I was seeing this pattern again in my life or I could choose to be complete and not be interested in creating yet another story around how it must be part of my journey to suffer this again in Onion world. I don't know about you but I would rather onions adorn my burger than my psyche!

My point in all of this is if you would like to change the patterns in your life and reduce the thumping of yourself on the head, there are ways to do it if you are willing. If you are open to reducing the struggle,you can give yourself permission to take the fruit that may require a bit of work upfront and yield the largest benefit.

I will be doing a complimentary Belief Re-patterning event on Wednesday, February 18th at my office if you are interested in seeing it in action.

Whatever you choose to help you get off the treadmill of repetitive patterns is great. You deserve to feel like you have a supportive self that can plant the seeds of growth. You deserve it because you are a soul that came here to learn through love and support. How cool is that? Let's leave the layers of suffering to the past and move through this year with courage, fun and new patterns, shall we?

Off to get some seeds of my own,

Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

Today's blog is short and sweet!  As many of you may know, I had LASIK surgery recently and I am being mindful not to over use my eyes so quickly after the procedure.  

Today's daily affirmation from my Hay House calendar "reminded" me how important it is to respect and protect our bodies.  I am taking this time to allow my body to heal.  What does your body need?  What is it telling you?  Are you listening?  If not, why not?  I enjoy helping others explore just such questions!

Here is to "seeing" you soon!

Vicki

www.vickibaird.com