Sometimes that negative voice in my head can be a tyrant, spewing out one discouraging thought after another.  Today I discovered an affirmation in Alan Cohen’s book “A Deep Breath of Life” that could stop that tyrant dead in its tracks:

Thank you for everything.

I have no complaints whatsoever.

When I first said this affirmation, I said it slowly several times to let the meaning sink in. It felt good to remember what I was thankful for. So good that I decided to practice this statement all day.  Throughout the day, if there was any hint of a complaint or negative judgment coming up, I’d repeat the affirmation.

Here’s what happened:

When I started to feel impatient with myself about how long I was spending tweaking my blog…I said to myself, “Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever,” then I was able to feel appreciative of just how much I had already done and my impatience melted away.

When my right shoulder ached from overdoing the wave cloud hands exercise in tai chi…
I said to myself, “Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever,” then I was able to feel appreciative of my body’s incredible ability to heal itself and the pain lessened almost immediately.

When I was about to remind my teenage daughter – yet again – to put away her dirty dishes…I said (to myself) “Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever,” then I was able to remember how kind and gentle she is and my annoyance was replaced by gratitude.

The moment I stop my negative thoughts, relax and give thanks instead, I feel better. When I feel better I feel more loving and I find it easier to have a more positive, happier outlook. With a happier outlook comes more energy, the world becomes a better place, and life becomes a more joyful experience.

If you can make a habit of saying “Thank you for everything, I have no complaints whatsoever,” you will find that Life really IS good and it’s not so hard to find “Joy First.”

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