FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Vicky Thompson
publicity@journeywithspirit.com

Q&A with Vicky Thompson,

Author of Life-Changing Affirmations

1. What are affirmations and how do they work?

Affirmations are powerful statements of intention about what you intend to create in your life. Actions follow intentions, so affirmations are like a map, guiding you to your desired destination. For example, if you want to find love in your life, you would say, I choose love and light to guide me. Spiritual affirmations are broad, which allows for you to create many different kinds of loving situations.

Affirmations are like a cup you use to draw inspiration from the well of potential realities you can create in your life.

2. How can busy people use affirmations to release stress?

The great thing about affirmations is that you can catch your thoughts at any moment during the day, and silently use an affirmation to reorient your emotional compass from down to up.

So let's say you're in a meeting that's not going well and you think, Uh-oh, I've blown it again. You can take a deep breath and refocus your intentions by silently affirming, I hold power and strength to find the most ideal outcome in this situation.

3. What is your personal story of using affirmations to heal scars from childhood sexual abuse?

After my son was born, I realized that I had a "monkey mind" that jumped around from one negative thought to another. I wanted to be an emotionally healthy and whole person for my son, so I began praying during meditation to heal the emotional scars from the abuse.

Through meditative prayer, I learned how to draw from a power greater than my own to rein in my monkey mind of negative thoughts and not let self-defeating thoughts get the best of me. When my inner monkey would start jumping, I'd say, I willingly release this energy. And then I'd affirm, I am love.

I kept at controlling my inner monkey all the time--in the car, in the shower, at work. Soon I began feeling a sense of inner calm--less monkey and more peace. I still have a little monkey in me, but I have more positive power to catch the monkey before it goes wild.

4. Is a positive attitude powerful or Pollyannaish?

A positive attitude is a powerful antidote to a busy, stress-filled life.

When I think of the power of a positive attitude, I think of Lance Armstrong overcoming cancer to win the Tour de France. I think of my neighbor, who after losing her husband to a terminal illness, found a new love in her life for herself and a father for her daughter. I think of my son getting on his bike one more time after falling down.

A positive attitude is a must for weathering the fast pitches and pulled punches of life. A study by the Mayo Clinic reports that a positive attitude can improve your health, including increased longevity and energy, fewer limitations due to pain, and a greater sense of peace and happiness.

5. Can you really achieve life-changing results in thirty days?

It takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior, using repetition and positive reinforcement. Affirmations help you to catch old thought patterns and reorient your thinking to your inner power.

Most attitudes are learned and perpetuated through negative self-talk, such as I can't do it. I'll never change. I'll never get what I want. Affirmations reprogram your mind, your attitude, and your life.

6. How can you access the power of creativity to find new ideas for living life in a deeper, more fulfilling way?

Creative energy comes from those moments when you're in the zone. Like when an idea pops into your head and it's just what you need. This happens when you create affirmations-on-the-go by catching yourself thinking negative thoughts and reorienting yourself back to your positive power. You learn how to trust your inner voice of wisdom to heal defeating self-images. You can take it a step deeper by meditating and praying, which connects you with this inner healing guidance. We all have access to this creative healing energy within.

7. What is the secret to using affirmations to forgive others?

Life can be bumpy, and forgiveness is one of the most vital spiritual tools you will ever use. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, you will step on others' toes, say thoughtless things, and forget to recognize others' feelings. Others will do the same to you. Forgiveness is a given part of living life on a deeper spiritual level. Forgiveness allows you to strive to live at your best, and know that when you fall short of that ideal, all will be forgiven. Forgiveness allows you to continue learning, loving and living fully.

When I feel hurt or I hurt others, I affirm my power of forgiveness. I visualize myself and the other person wrapped in the loving light of forgiveness and in my heart I say, I forgive myself and I forgive you for the painful choices made in this situation. In love and hope, I release this pain to the light, blessing us both to continue on our journeys.

8. Can affirmations make you rich?

Affirmations open your mind and heart to new possibilities, so you will become rich with potential. Spiritual affirmations work best when you keep them simple and uplifting, focusing on powerful states of being. Affirmations open you to the rich energy of the universe, and so broad affirmations allow miracles to happen.

For example, if you desire wealth, say a broad affirmation such as I am filled with abundance in all ways. Affirmations open you to new possibilities, and keeping them broad allows you to recognize the wealth and abundance in all experiences you encounter during the day. Whether you find a dollar on the ground, laugh richly at the joke of a coworker, or delight in a special dessert--abundance will fill you in all ways.

9. Does combining spiritual beliefs with affirmations create more dramatic results?

When you commit to changing your thought patterns, you don't have to do it alone. Affirmations open you to your inner wisdom, which is a deep well of inspiration for creating new ideas and thought patterns. You can also meditate and pray to access spiritual guidance for changing your life.

Affirmations clarify your thoughts while meditations enable you to see yourself performing your chosen actions. Make your intentions even stronger by meditating and visualizing yourself as a powerful person living your dreams.

10. Are you working on anything else that you'd like to tell us about?

I'm currently working on my website, JourneywithSpirit.com, which offers affirmations, prayers, audio guided meditations, and web movies. The site has a new web movie called "Dharma Pig Wisdom," which is a whimsical take on finding wisdom in everyday life.

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Life Changing Affirmations

A 30-Day Plan for Spiritual Transformation

by Vicky Thompson

Published by Red Wheel, Paperback $9.95, 80 pages

Publication Date: July 2005

ISBN: 1-59003-085-0

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