Empowering Your Mind

Question: How is the best way to do self-hypnosis when I’m concerned about distractions, both internal and external?

Answer: It’s best to do self-hypnosis in a quiet room, with the phone, television, etc. turned off. If you have distracting thoughts, simply recognize that and bring your attention back to the goal of your session. Self-hypnosis is a normal state of mind that you’re in several times during the day, as when you’re daydreaming. It’s simply focusing the mind, and it takes training. As you continue to practice, you’ll get better at being able to focus on the goal of your self-hypnosis. As with anything else, practice makes perfect.

First Published in the The Cedarfire Newsletter, May 2009

Copyright 2009 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development

Question: When I’m working with an affirmation, do I have to repeat it for the rest of my life?

Answer: Yes and no. Isn’t that specific? When you begin to use an affirmation, you are working with it to change your mental beliefs. You aren’t changing the Universe’s mind about you, what you want, or whether the Universe feels you deserve it. The answer to all of those questions, from the Universe’s perspective is “yes.” The only mind you have to change to accept what your affirmation is about is yours. The affirmation is to counteract the beliefs and attitudes that have restricted what you’ve wanted.

You are always affirming. Sometimes your affirmation is “I can’t.” If that’s what you believe, then that’s what you get. When you affirm, “I can,” you are beginning to flood the “I cannot’s” out of your mind. When you no longer ever think “I can’t,” and always think “I can,” then the affirmation has served its purpose. You will be experiencing what you began to use the affirmation for. So you can stop deliberately saying the affirmation.

However, when you totally believe in affirmation asserts, then your automatic response to yourself in any situation will be “I can.” Remember, you’re always affirming something to yourself. So the answer is also, “yes,” you will use your affirmation for the rest of your life. Because it will have become a part of you.

Originally published in “The Cedarfire Newsletter,” September 2000.

Copyright 2000 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, inspiration

Question: When I affirm, I feel like I’m controlling the Universe. What if the Universe doesn’t want me to have what I’m affirming?

Answer: The Universe wants all good for you. You are an individualized expression of the Universe. The Universe cannot keep good from Itself, and since you are a part of Itself, It cannot keep good from you.

The only mind you are changing with an affirmation is yours. You can’t force the Universe to give you what It has already given. You are the one who has kept your good from you. The attitudes and beliefs that you hold have restricted that Divine Energy good. An affirmation is simply creating a new belief, a new groove in your mind to hold more of that good.

You’re not controlling the Universe with an affirmation. You aren’t coercing the Universe to give you something that isn’t
yours by Divine Right. Since you are a part of the All Good, all the good you desire is already yours.

Originally published in “The Cedarfire Newsletter,” August 2000.

Copyright 2000 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

personal growth, personal development, inspiration

Question: Isn’t it better to just ask for my Highest Good, letting the Universe decide what’s best, rather than asking for a specific good, such as prosperity?

Answer: I get this question a lot. Many people seem afraid to ask the Universe for what would bring them joy, harmony, health, and affluence. They’re afraid that they’d be telling the Infinite how to make them happy. However, if you don’t have an idea of what you want, then the Universe simply gives you an average of your thoughts. Everything that happens in your life comes from the ideas and images you have in your mind, anyway. So, you have to have a conception of what you think is best, before the Universe can manifest your Highest Good. You can affirm, “This or something better.”

The Infinite wants you to be happy. It doesn’t conspire to make you unhappy. Therefore, in a specific situation, you can focus on whatever might be your Highest Good. For instance, if you have a problem with a co-worker that you want resolved, rather than affirming a specific outcome, such as “I want my co-worker to quit,” you affirm that you want a harmonious workplace and that whatever happens is for your Highest Good and the Highest Good of all concerned. Any number of things could happen to bring you peace in this situation. Simply focus on the outcome you want, and let the Universe handle the details.

Originally published in “The Cedarfire Newsletter,” July 2000.

Copyright 2000 Linda-Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

inspiration, self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development