A study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (1) used MRI to reveal that practising self-affirmation activates the reward centres in your brain. … It fires up your neural pathways and makes changes to those areas of the brain that makes you happy and positive (Cascio).
Words are more powerful than most of us are taught to believe. They are
symbols for intent and carry with them the ability to inspire or destroy. What we say to others is typically a reflection of how we are speaking to ourselves. What we say to ourselves MATTERS. Are we being kind or critical? Are we feeling joy or anger? It is most important to remember that we are not defined by anything external, nor can we control what other people do or say, yet we
have this beautiful opportunity to co-create our inner landscape (with Divine).
This inner landscape can be full of truths, reminiscent of a warm cup of herbal tea, rocking on an old outdoor rocking chair that sits on a rustic deep rouge redwood patio while surrounded by a peaceful lake that shimmers with reflections of tall, wise pine trees and early morning sun. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? The contrast here is that we can also paint something completely opposite with our mind that seems very depleting and we all have been there and go there from time to time (sometimes many times in a day or hour). The glorious trick is to cultivate loving awareness and knowing that you can cultivate whatever type of inner landscape you desire and that energy will absolutely change your perception. Yogis, mystics, and healers from ancient times through today knew and know that the key to a peaceful and joyful existence is cultivation of our inner state of being.
A beautiful tool to use for more Self-Love through our Words (whether thought 
or said outloud) are affirmations. Affirmations are a tool that help us feel more
inspired, more self-appreciation, more other appreciation, and more NOW appreciation. The feelings we experience and emit are powerful messengers on a Quantum level! It is most important to remember that it is more than ok to not do something like this perfectly. In fact, if you feel that, at some point this feels less than inspiring to do, stop doing it and shift to something else that builds your self-awareness and self-love (like a nature walk). The reason I say that “affirmations,” are tools is that there are many tools that one can use to shift their inner dialogue and landscape. It is important to remember that a daily practice of prayer and meditation prior to or during an affirmation practice is suggested for you to be more able to create a positive mindset as more of a lifestyle rather than something you dip your toes into once in awhile (even though dipping your toes in once in awhile is great, too!) How far you go with your inner journey is up to you.
I suggest journaling these affirmations down or printing these affirmations out so that you can return to them whenever needed/desired. Mornings are a powerful time to begin your affirmative practice. If you have not already, create a healthy, mindful morning ritual so that you can layer these affirmations in. You can say them out loud in front of a mirror sometimes or silently during or after meditation. You could say them to yourself while walking on the trail or sitting at a coffee shop. You could record yourself saying them and play them back to yourself on your way to take your daughter or son to school!
Here Are Some Affirmations For Cultivating Inner Peace & Joy:
1. I am enough just as I am.
2. I am worthy.
3. I love who I am and what I do.
4. What if joy is my natural state of being?
5. I am radiant and shine like the sun in every day, in every way.
6. I am the joyful and peaceful expression of the Divine.
7. I create an environment of love and peace by being myself in this moment.
8. I feel incredibly grateful for this life because I get to shine my light in my own special way.
9. I am safe and protected by the Universe.
10. I am balanced in my mind and body.
11. I am a well stream of peace.
12. I am an ocean of joy.
Affirmations can be used daily and often! I am so excited for you to begin or continue your explorations of your inner Self and I feel very much honored to be a part of your journey, even if it’s for these few moments while you read this article. I truly love to help whether it’s planting these seeds of positive devotion to one’s authentic nature or be it cheering you on as you do your life’s PURPOSE. I am sending you much love and light on your path as you affirm and claim your joy & peace every single day.
To learn more about in person and remote retreat, workshops, 1 on 1 coaching, small group events and corporate retreats with Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self go here.
Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self
Sources:
Cascio, Christopher N, et al. “Self-Affirmation Activates Brain Systems Associated with Self-Related Processing and Reward and Is Reinforced by Future Orientation.” Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Oxford University Press, Apr. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814782/.
“The Science behind Positive Affirmations.” Third Space, 4 Feb. 2021, https://www.thirdspace.london/this-space/2021/02/the-science-behind-positive-affirmations/.
A Guided Clear Blue Sky Meditation
Alana’s love for yoga came from firsthand experience with just how powerful the practice is. “In 2009, Yoga found me. Inside the studio, she experienced a deep sense of belonging, but the most profound part was what happened after. “I felt as though I was at true peace. I finally knew what the word meant. Until that moment, I had just understood it cerebrally. There is something profound to be said about Peace dropping into the heart.”