How to lessen the “I AM” gap with “YOU ARE” Affirmations
I recently wrote an article ( I am and closing the gap of who we believe we are ) talking about two simple yet powerful and all-encompassing words, “I AM”. In that post I shared how they define what we are, specifically:
In the context of our soul and oneness with that all that is, I AM is what we are.
In the context of the human experience, the words we put after I AM provide a window into what we believe we are in this lifetime.
The article also discussed how, while experiencing life on planet Earth, we have a perceived gap between the two I AM states, along with why that is, and how we can lessen the gap.
Lessening the gap
One of the key ways we can lessen the gap is to understand how our beliefs and mindsets shape how we perceive ourselves, and from there instilling new empowering beliefs and mindsets to change that perception.
While there are many ways to help instill new empowering beliefs and mindsets ranging from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to hypnosis and I AM affirmations, for today’s post I am going to focus on a lesser known method I call “YOU ARE affirmations“.
What are YOU ARE Affirmations?
YOU ARE Affirmations are similar to I AM Affirmations in that the focus and purpose of both are to help you teach your mind that you are “x” where “x” is ideally a positive attribute you would like to reinforce or believe about yourself. For example “YOU ARE Worthy”, “YOU ARE Complete”.
While both are positive and empowering, utilizing the YOU ARE affirmation may result in less pushback from your mind.
To understand why we need to understand a little about the 2 main functions of the brain.
Note: Please keep in mind the human brain is highly complex and the following is a very high-level overview.
The 2 Main Functions of the Brain
At a high level, our brain has 2 main functions:
To keep us safe.
To make more of us.
In short, it’s about survival and evolution of the species.
In order to do this, the brain relies on lots and lots of data. Some of the data it uses is in the form of beliefs and mindsets within our own mind.
When we feed our brain new data to work with (affirmations in this case) it will look at the existing data it has been using to this point to ensure it can achieve its 2 main functions.
If the new data doesn’t align with the longstanding existing data, the brain may push back and even reject the new data (at least at first). Yes, even if that existing data hasn’t been the best. For example, if you believe you aren’t good enough. But, there is hope and that is where YOU ARE affirmations may yield better results than I AM affirmations.
The positioning of YOU ARE Affirmations
As with I AM Affirmations, typically a person would put YOU ARE affirmations in a place where they can see them (i.e. a bathroom mirror) and would either read the affirmation or say it aloud while looking at their reflection.
Where YOU ARE Affirmations are different from I AM Affirmations is in the positioning of who is telling you to believe the affirmation.
In the case of I AM Affirmations, it is you telling yourself.
In the case of YOU ARE Affirmations, although you are saying the affirmation, the positioning takes on more of a 3rd party perspective because you are saying “YOU ARE” rather than “I AM”.
It’s a subtle shift in positioning that can help.
While your mind may at first push back at “YOU ARE” statements, over time it can come to believe what the 3rd person is telling you because this 3rd person only wants what is best for you.
Think of “YOU ARE’s” like a super supportive friend who is helping you to be all you can be.
Are you ready to try YOU ARE’s?
If you decide to utilize YOU ARE Affirmations, please keep in mind two main functions of the brain and understand the process can take time. Our brains have had years of conditioning and contain a boatload of lack based beliefs and mindsets. Be patient with yourself, have fun and know that YOU ARE.
‘Til next time if you liked this, please social share it. Together we can help create a global mind shift.
