I tried affirmations a looong time ago and didn’t put much effort into it and well, they didn’t work. THIS time I consciously did them whenever I had a free moment and I made an effort to do them first thing in the morning and before I went to bed.

This time around I also thought about erasing my self-critical messages with validating and loving ones. That’s how I got over the “This is stupid” feeling – that I have all these invalidating messages like, “I didn’t nail that the VERY FIRST TIME I tried that..” when who can be the best or do a great job on the first try? Sheesh!

In addition to the constant “I love myself, I deserve the best..” messages I sometimes say I love myself with feeling and give myself a mental hug and try to relax into the feeling.

What I’ve read about affirmations and manifesting your desires, you should always try to move towards a more positive emotion and if you desires something, imagine having it and yes, feeling as if you have it and expect to get what you desire.

Thanks for the well wishes! My first day was a blur and whew! But everyone has been great at work.

delmer: Thank you! And I believe you about Ohio! Younger Dude is from Dayton and I know a few others from Ohio so I have good feelings for Ohio!

UT: I kinda thought you might be experiencing a setup year! Things have been happening for you in a good way.

I believe I’m experiencing the “setup” year. This time around though it started five months into last year and should conclude in a few months, instead of the regular calendar year.

Is that part of it? Are we supposed to do it even though it feels like bullshit? Or are we supposed to do it and it feels true and it comes true?

I don’t know. Can’t tell. Feel like maybe I am affirming the wrong stuff.

Have a fantastic first day at work, though.

When you laugh and no one hears you, are you still happy??

I DO feel it is my year!! 2008 feels like a “setup” year – I’m laying the foundation for all that will follow. It’s a very exciting feeling. Have you ever had that type of year? Interestingly, my horoscope for January 2008 said something along these lines – that this year is like one of the 7 special years we have in a lifetime. I read my horoscope for amusement and reading this year’s prediction was interesting that it followed what I believed.

Then again, we get what we expect, right?

Ricardo: I accept the hug and raise ya two!

Jill: Thanks!!!

Derek: I learned to keep being positive. I kept saying affirmations and whenever I’d get that “Oh! I am unemployed! I don’t have any money coming in..” I’d say to myself, “I have a wonderful job, working with fantastic people…”

Being negative doesn’t help. I really had to stay focused. It worked pretty well – I was happy most of the time! I had my “eeeee!” moments but I would immediately affirm. I am trying to do the same with the boyfriend … with limited success! Meaning, I affirm and believe I have a wonderful relationship and I do get this flurry of interest or I meet potential boyfriends and then I have some negative thought and poof!

Well…there is something in me that isn’t ready.