Deep Thoughts for a Better Day – Mark Twain and Affirmations

Posted by Maryan Pelland Aug 23, 2006

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Mark Twain, that paragon of rational thought, said this - "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching."

And this - "Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

It seems like the man spent all his time thinking up brilliant ways to approach life. I wish I had known him. If you need a boost or mental purge, read his work or do a bit of surfing about him.

Once you've got the feel for his wit and inspiring words, try this affirmation from Susan Dunn:

AFFIRMATION: I'll do this today; I'll have an adventure. I will leave a safe harbor, literally or figuratively, a place of comfort. I will throw off the bowlines--my ordinary defenses, my regular way of dressing, or my usual companion for lunch. I will catch the trade winds in my sails--following some fancy for no particular reason at all--a whim, a lark, a joyride. I will explore--a new person, a new place, a new thing, a new idea. And I will dream! --Susan Dunn, the EQ Coach.

An affirmation is a little snippet that almost compels you to change what you're doing in the moment. The idea is to write or print out the above paragraph, for example, and tape it to your mirror, your dashboard, or anyplace you'll see it several times today. Each time, read it aloud at least once, if not a couple of times. Take it to heart. Do what it says. Do something extraordinary today. Then write your own affirmation for tomorrow, based on what you need in your life.

Affirmation practice:

• Think of something you want to do or accomplish or feel
• Think of key words that relate to your thought. (If you wanted to become fabulously wealthy, for example, your keywords might include make money, dollars, work hard, etc).
• Create a sentence or paragraph that expresses what it is you want to do, is situated in the present tense, and begins with the word I. For example, "I will work hard today to make money. I will acquire five dollars the first hour of my day and an incremental multiple of five dollars each hour for the rest of the day.
• Write the thought down in sentence or paragraph form. Make sure it's based in the present, is an I-statement, and is attainable, even if attainability is unlikely. Give yourself permission to stretch.
• Decorate or embellish the paper or card you wrote your thought on.
• Tape the thought in a conspicuous place you'll pass several times during the day.

Obviously, that particular affirmation represents a difficult to attain goal but what the heck. Some people claim practicing affirmations with focused dedication can make absolutely anything happen. Maybe it's worth a try.

For More Help:

If you're trying to quit a bad habit, like smoking, you might combine your affirmations with my How to Quit Smoking tips for seniors.

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