creating the spiritual narrative (important - please read)

chapter 4. affirmation

Affirmation is truly important in everyone's life. Because there are levels to receiving the things that we receive. These levels consist of tolerating, accepting, being grateful for and embracing. Four individual levels of receiving.

I think that positivity should be received to the maximum. Here are some examples of what I mean.

Say someone were to give you a compliment. To tolerate that compliment would be to respond with the words "if you say so." Or even "I'm not, but thanks." Ultimately, regarding a compliment that way, won't do much for your overall self esteem. At best, it'd benefit your connection to that person while failing to boost the way that you feel about yourself.

Now let's say your response was more along the lines of a thank you, more or less. That would be to accept a compliment and is the typical, more standard response to receiving a compliment. There's no indication is to whether or not this will allow the compliment to have any effect on your overall self esteem. (And by overall, I mean that a dopamine shot does not add up to self esteem.)

Accepting a compliment is much better than denying a compliment. At the very least, your giving that compliment validation. It can be beneficial to you.

Now let's talk about responding with gratitude. This can also be expressed through a thank you, or something more extensive than that. Now, once again, there's actually no indication as to just how much the compliment has an effect on you. Showing gratitude primarily benefits your perception of the person who gave you the compliment. Whether you choose to believe their word or not.

And finally, we have embracing the compliment. Or to put into a better word, affirming the compliment. Not many people do this, as they try not to seem rude but I think it should be more common, simply for the sake of allowing the compliment to take full effect on your self esteem.

As an example, I'll actually tell you about how my boyfriend responds when I compliment him. I absolutely love the way he responds because it shows me he's confident. It shows me he's unafraid of being ferociously proud. And honestly, is there anything more attractive than that?

So yesterday, I told him "you're the best. You really are amazing." And he responded and said "I know I am." And by saying that, without shame, he gave my compliment more validation than a thank you ever could. When I tell people positive things about them, I'm not just trying to make them smile or feel good. I'm not just doing it to be a kind person. If I compliment you, I want you to believe every word I say, no cutbacks whatsoever. Even if I go as far as telling someone that they are perfect, I aim to make someone believe that's exactly what they are.

Affirming positivity, is to turn positivity into more than just a vibe. More than just a freaking mannerism. Turn positivity into an attitude. When someone says something kind about you, don't just accept it. Claim it. Own it. Make it into something big.

Affirmation gives you the motivation to make moves. But accepting compliments isn't the only way to incorporate affirmation into your life.

Your mind is being fed to the brim, every single day. Every day, your mind is fed, not only by technology and social media, but the people you keep around you, and most importantly, what you self-feed your mind. Your consistent train of thought and most basic thought process is practically your mental health diet. And you need to watch what your brain eats.

That's why I believe that positive affirmation should be part of your daily routine. After all, social media is a part of your daily routine, even if and when it's not good for your mental health. And whether we like it or not, our self doubt is pretty regular in many people's routine, even if we didn't choose for it to be. All the more reason why we should focus on deliberating positive thoughts in our daily lives.

I say you should write yourself an affirmation of ten lines, and then repeat it to yourself every morning that you wake up and again throughout the day.

If you'd like, here's a template for a daily affirmation which is customizable to you.

I am _____ (adjective)

I can _____

I will _____

I will not ______

I know _____

Today will be ______

I hereby claim _____

I hereby affirm _____

I will attract _____

Because I am ______! (Noun)

Try it. Affirmation will help you communicate with yourself in a positive way. After all, we all talk to ourselves. It's natural to do. So train yourself, practice doing do in a positive way. Because there is no reason to not make daily affirmation a part of your day.

All that said, I'll see you guys again in the next chapter.