This Memorial Day and Every Day: Never Forget The Power of “I Am”

For me, as well as many others, two of the most powerful words in the English language are “I am.”  Spell it out in capital letters and the power seems to grow:  “I AM.”  Then begin to say the words out loud:  “I AM healthy,”  “I AM prosperous,” or “I AM loved” and then repeat them louder until you begin to feel the power of the words flow through your body.  It is energizing and uplifting.  You begin to feel lighter, more confident and open up to limitless possibilities of connection to yourself and to others.

As we honor those who have served our country this Memorial Day, let us also remember to honor ourselves in a positive way.  How often have you given up on an idea, hope, or dream with a negative phrase like “I can’t” or “it won’t work” or “it’s useless”?  Buddha said, “The mind is everything; what you think, you become.”  Norman Vincent Peale wrote the book and coined the phrase, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  Joel Osteen writes in his bestseller “The Power of I AM”:  “Whatever follows the ‘I am’ will eventually find you.”

I find that during transitional moments in life such as loss, illness, death, or divorce, inner thoughts and words turn to the negative:  “I was rejected;” “I didn’t get to say I love you;” “I didn’t protect well enough.”  Oftentimes the mind generates this negativity to the point of what Buddhists call “monkey mind.”  If, instead of saying “I was” or “I didn’t,” you say “I am” or “I did” or “I can,” you begin to change your mindset and the monkey mind pattern begins to lessen.  With enough practice saying positive affirmations, your situation will begin to change to one of optimism and possibility.

Use these “I Am” phrases like a mantra or post them on your mirror. Or say them out loud.  Begin in the morning to set your day on a positive track:  I am worthy; I am making a difference.

Osteen also says, “Pay attention to what you’re inviting into your life.”  Are you sending out positive thoughts and messages or are you ambushing your words with the blunt force of the negative?  Remember, you have a choice.  Always seek and speak the positive.  

This Memorial Day remember to honor your fellow veterans:  I Am grateful for your service.  And remember to repeat positive words daily; it will bring richness into your life. Of this I am sure. I AM.