Many of us have heard people say that they have to see something in order to believe it, but have you ever thought that perhaps, it is the things that we believe that we are more likely to see?

Our thoughts shape our perspective, and that perspective decides a large part of our lived experiences. The things that we accept to be true dictate how we navigate the world around us, and if we hold onto “truths” that limit us, we choose a life that is limited. American writer Ernest Holmes has a quote that says, “Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.” In this sentence, he acknowledges that our minds play a role in the creation of our reality, and so we have a responsibility to tend to our thoughts and the things we say with deliberate care. 

Take the time to ask yourself the following questions: 

1. Do my thoughts and my words align with my desires?

2. Can I be more optimistic about life? What has stopped me from being so in the past?

3. What do I wish to be true about my life? If I were to accept this as true, how would my actions change?

4. If the things I say became reality, what would I say and what would I stop saying?

The idea of speaking or thinking things into existence might sound magical, but there is also a science to this. In your brain stem, there is a collection of neurons called the Reticular Activating System, and this part of your brain is responsible for filtering out unnecessary information so that you can notice the most important things. It allows you to easily see and hear what your mind is focused on. This means that what you are intent on noticing will become more salient in your environment, so it is important to remember to keep your thoughts aligned with what you truly want to actualize. 

Additionally, studies show that positive affirmations not only boost your self-confidence, but also enhance your ability to sustain the behaviors that make that affirmation a reality. In essence, how we speak to ourselves makes it easier for us to act in alignment with our intentions. 

Keep in mind that your thoughts and intentions do not need to be articulated only through your voice – the things you write down are also significant. Your journaling practice is an avenue for you to declare those desires and explore how you can better align yourself with them, so be sure to keep your notebooks and journals as a vehicle to actualizing your dreams.

As you grow into the potential of who you are, there will be moments of doubt. What keeps you going are the beliefs you hold onto and reminders of why you’re on the journey in the first place. So, declare your intentions often and with conviction, and let life reflect what you know can be true.