Story: Man, Forest and Wish Tree (Source: Internet)
A man was passing through a forest and lost his way. After wandering for hours in search of the right path, he surrendered his fate to God and decided to rest under a HUGE tree. Hungry and exhausted, he thought, “Can I get some food to eat in this forest?” Unbeknownst to him, he was sitting under a WISH tree, which could grant any desire.
Because his prayers were honest and pure, hot and delicious food appeared before him immediately. Overjoyed, he began eating without hesitation. While eating, he thought, “If only I had something to drink.” Instantly, an energizing beverage appeared. After enjoying his meal and drink, he felt tired and thought about resting. He fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. When he woke up feeling refreshed and energetic, his mind began to wonder about the mysterious events.
Unable to comprehend what had happened, fear crept in. He thought, “If there’s an evil soul here providing food and drink, it could harm me too!” Since he was sitting under the WISH tree, his fearful thought summoned an evil soul, which appeared and killed him.
Moral of the Story
Our thoughts shape our reality. The man’s journey under the wish tree illustrates the immense power of the mind: positive thoughts attract blessings, while negative thoughts invite destruction.
The Power of Thoughts
From morning to night, our minds are filled with an unending chatter of thoughts. These can be positive or negative, depending on our state of mind and what we feed it daily. The mind never stops thinking, whether we are awake or asleep. Often, when we wake up, we feel tired because our thoughts keep racing through the night.
Interestingly, more than 80% of our thoughts are negative. These thoughts are shaped by our experiences, perceptions, and the situations around us. Examples of such thoughts include:
- “What will happen to my job?”
- “Will I pass my exams?”
- “What if I’m late again?”
- “What if my boss yells at me?”
- “How could they talk to me like that?”
The quality of our thoughts influences our feelings, which drive our actions and ultimately shape our destiny. Repeated negative thoughts, even if untrue, become our reality because we convince ourselves of their validity. For example, if a friend betrays us, we may dwell on the betrayal, replaying it in our minds, whether or not we’ve checked the facts.
Negative thoughts often dominate, leading to fear, anxiety, and tension. Instead of focusing on hope and optimism, we convince ourselves that things will worsen and that no improvement is possible. This creates a negative aura that reinforces unfavourable outcomes, trapping us in a destructive cycle.
Breaking the Cycle: Intentional Affirmations
Sometimes, life presents genuinely tough situations, such as losing a loved one, facing a financial loss, dealing with health issues, or losing a job. In such moments, optimism may seem impossible. If someone advises us to “stay positive” or “find the silver lining,” we might dismiss their advice. Consider, for example, India’s crushing cricket loss to Australia in the 2024-25 test series.
In such situations, we have two options:
- Remain stuck: Continue lamenting and justifying why it’s okay to feel hopeless.
- Choose hope: Start affirming what we want for ourselves, even if it feels artificial at first. For example:
- “I will find a better job.”
- “My business will recover.”
- “I can heal and move forward.”
Positive self-talk, though underrated, is one of the most profound tools for energizing and empowering ourselves. It doesn’t mean ignoring reality but focusing on the desired outcome. Instead of dwelling on failure, tell yourself, “I am improving,” “I am getting better,” or “I will bounce back.”
Initially, this may feel unnatural. For instance, if everything is going wrong, it may seem absurd to say, “I feel great,” or “I’m succeeding.” But if a friend were in your shoes, wouldn’t you encourage them to stay positive?
The Science of Affirmations
By repeating positive affirmations, we reprogram our minds. Over time, our mindset shifts, and we begin taking small, actionable steps toward our goals. Gradually, we see progress and hope, breaking free from the cycle of negativity. Positive thoughts create a spiral that lifts us to new levels of success.
Consider cricketers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. After a tough loss, they have two choices: sink into despair or challenge themselves to bounce back. We often expect resilience from our idols but hesitate to show the same strength in our own lives.
Making Affirmations a Daily Habit
Positive affirmations should be part of our routine. Their goal is to change our inner programming. Examples include:
- “I am capable.”
- “I can do it.”
- “I am strong.”
- “I always keep my commitments.”
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but affirmations help us recover and build momentum. Take inspiration from sports teams that huddle together before a match, chanting affirmations to boost their energy and focus.
Even small progress is significant. If you previously failed 10 times out of 10 and now succeed once, that’s a 10% improvement. With persistence, your success rate will increase exponentially (10% profit in business is considered decent!).
Conclusion
Positive affirmations are a powerful therapy for transforming your mindset and life. By intentionally choosing empowering thoughts, you create a better reality for yourself. Remember, your thoughts shape your destiny. Choose them wisely, and let your affirmations guide you toward success and fulfillment.