I am adventurous.
I adore Wayne Dyer.
He taught me about being squeezed.
He reminded me to stand on my head.
He enlightened me about the fact all creativity emerges from silence and stillness.
I gift his books to people.
I quote him on the regular.
I’d thought he provided a sort of backdrop to my life.
These days I forget Dyer-teachings more often than I remember them.
How are you? People ask me.
And, to those who really want to know, I’ve discovered myself consistently responding a variation of: I am hanging on.
The other morning I received a text from a friend asking that same question and, for the first time in months, I paused before I replied.
I recalled a Dyer’ism I’d forgotten for far too long and instead of responding I AM___ I texted this W.D. quote to my friend:
“Anytime you start a sentence with “I am,” you are creating what you are and what you want to be.”
Through sharing his musings with her I, too, was reminded of the power of my thoughts and words.
I am grateful. I typed to my friend. I am content. I am tired, yet I am happy.
For the rest of my morning I chose to consciously focus on the words I used and carefully layered them with intention.
When I hit a road bump in my day instead of answering a friend’s inquiry about how I was doing with my instinctive Ugh. I am frustrated! I paused and replied: I’m trying to solve a work challenge, but I am great.
I am a failure. I am struggling. I am angry. I am unsuccessful. I am not smart. I am not enough.
What we think and what we say we give power and we become.
As I’ve joked to friends both online and off: Carla circa 1990 would have mocked this concept and Wayne Dyer.
Not Carla circa 2017.
Carla 2017 believes in the power of manifesting and in the idea the words we speak create the house we live in.
I am supported, determined, entrepreneurial and optimistic.
And you?
- What Dyer’isms have played a role in shaping the way you live?
- Have you slipped into self-sabotage with the way you phrase your I AMs?
Annmarie says
August 14, 2017 at 5:19 amI absolutely love this. Need to pause myself the next time I go to answer that question.
Allie says
August 14, 2017 at 5:33 amTruer words… how we talk to ourselves and what we say about ourselves MATTERS so much. I have had to learn this as well – and often forget – so thank you for the reminder. I have a lot of opportunities to produce great work this week and although I feel intimidated, I will take each task one step at a time 🙂
Coco says
August 14, 2017 at 6:12 amI am learning this lesson in my workouts. My self-talk makes all the difference between making it up that hill — or not. Maybe it’s shallow place to start, but it’s a start.
Valerie says
August 14, 2017 at 6:38 amYES. This.
My favorite morning meditation ends with repetition of “I am loved…I am love.” I love setting my reality for the day that way. ??
messymimi says
August 14, 2017 at 7:13 amThus i must pause to think before i speak.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
August 14, 2017 at 7:38 amI am grateful. I am happy. I am content.
You are what you believe. It’s amazing how much your brain listens to what comes out of your mouth.
Elle says
August 14, 2017 at 9:57 amYes. I AM a fan too… all the way back to Your Erroneous Zones… haven’t read a lot of them but always get something out of them.
Haralee says
August 14, 2017 at 9:59 amWords are so powerful to our selves and to others! I love you for writing and sharing this helpful reminder!!
AdjustedReality says
August 14, 2017 at 11:14 amYour perspective definitely makes a difference. I had wall to wall commitments on Saturday, all things I really wanted to do, but I left the house at 7:30am and came back around 9pm. In the past, that has really tanked my mood. However, I’m trying to reframe this stuff because who in their right mind can complain about a day of bikes and pool hopping and comedy tickets?
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to do all these cool things today” vs “Ugh, I am so busy because have so much to do today” is huge.
Renee says
August 14, 2017 at 12:03 pmLove love love Wayne Dyer!! Have all his books and CD’s. I may have slipped a bit in believing some of it lately…so thanks for the reminder I need to get my books out again.
“I am”….strong
Beth Havey says
August 14, 2017 at 2:36 pmI am grateful, I am most days happy, I am healthy, I am blessed.
Thanks for being my twitter friend, Beth
Leanne | crestingthehill says
August 14, 2017 at 7:53 pmYou are so right Carla – it’s all about what we tell ourselves and how we perceive our circumstances that makes all the difference. Even “I am hanging on” – if it looks like the pic of you hanging on with a smile, then that’s okay too!
Rena says
August 14, 2017 at 9:52 pmHI Carla, I just wanted to let you know that when I came to your site on my iphone your share buttons didn’t show up. You may not have it set up on your buttons plugin. Might want to take a look! Tweeted!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
August 14, 2017 at 11:50 pmThis is so very true. We give power to our words, and have power to create our own narrative. So few realize it, but I am grateful that it came with age (for me)!
Catherine says
August 15, 2017 at 10:48 amI am sometimes struggling, but I am happy. And blessed. And open to the universe and it’s offerings.
Love this post and reminder! ??
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
August 19, 2017 at 7:12 amWow, great way to re-thinking an approach to life. I will need to consciously remember to answer in a more solution-driven way versus my usual emotional way! Visiting from Saturday Sharefest.
cheryl says
August 26, 2017 at 9:38 amI have never heard of Dyer- and have never given myself negative self talk, even though there have been people in my life (close people) who have tried to change how I think about myself.
I am strong (willed). I am competent. I am conscientious (to a fault). I am completely satisfied where I am in my life right now, but always striving to be better.