We hear a lot about the power of affirmations and many are skeptical. Can an affirmation help us with increasing our prosperity, remove daily stress or changing a downward spiral? When you have a certain thought there is an accompanying emotion and attitude to it. For instance, when you think "They'll never hire me, I'm just not qualified" you present yourself in a job interview a certain way: Your confidence is low, your body language conveys self-doubt and your energy will probably be forced.

Some say that affirmations affect the subconscious mind. Others say that affirmation create positive changes in our actual conscious beliefs. Many note that that affirmations will help someone to overcome negative self-statements. Whether you have an interest in metaphysics or not, most people will notice that self-demeaning and self-degrading statements are not helpful for self-growth and they should be countered. Putting yourself down is not the messages you want to send out to the universe.

What you say to yourself influences your own self-image and self-esteem in very deep ways. Repetition of anything creates a certain channel or groove. This is true for any routine or habit.

Watch how you feel thinking these thoughts:

"I am grateful for my gifts and abilities" "I'm letting go of past doubts and fears that paralyze me" and "Today I will have focus and clarity in my actions"

Contrast that with these thoughts:

"I'll never be picked for the promotion." "She doesn't love me and no one ever has." "This year won't be any better than last year."

Practice replacing negative thoughts with positive ones for a week and see if your inner attitude, posture and emotional balance improves. You do not have to buy into any religious system to do this. The mind is very powerful and can help us create the reality we wish to live. It can also lead us into a very difficult lifestyle if it chooses to repeat phrases and thoughts that destroy the human spirit and potential.