Positive affirmations are another way to counteract negative thinking. Make a list of
positive things in your life, including things you would like to occur. Affirmations
are always stated as if they were a fact, even when they are still a dream. For exam-
ple, if you have financial problems, instead of thinking “I’m never going to get
ahead. My debts are just too big,” you might make affirmations such as “I am
financially secure,” “I pay my bills easily,” “Money comes in when I need it,” “I am
at ease about the subject of money.” Affirmations can be made about work, school,
relationships, feelings, commitments, future goals, and even pleasurable activities.
Write your list of affirmations over a period of several days, then find a time and
place to say them aloud every day. You may want to tape record them and listen to
the tape every day, perhaps to make a commute to work more pleasant. Since peo-
ple tend to live their lives according to their expectations, changing expectations
from negative to positive can improve the level of wellness.
Banishing Negative Thoughts
Often we endure such runs of negative thoughts that we are unaware of the process
until we have been “beating ourselves up” for 10–15 minutes. To become more
aware of this habitual process, tap your left finger on a firm surface for every nega-
tive thought. When your finger becomes quite sore, you will have another level of
awareness of your negativity. Negative thoughts can be countered with positive
ones. When you catch yourself thinking and feeling a negative thought, such as
how fat your body is or how dumb you are, STOP. Now look for and substitute a pos-
itive thought or feeling in the place of the one you removed, such as how lovely
your hair looks or how well you have succeeded at something. Now listen to yourself
saying the positive phrase out loud. Continue in this way, adding other phrases and
wishes.
Although it might not be easy to find a stream of flowing water to take away your
angers, fears, sorrows, or troubles, you can visualize that process. Relax yourself with
deep breathing and by banishing negative thoughts, then mentally walk into a
stream or actually stand in a shower that is comfortable in temperature and flow.
Visualize the water washing out all their physical, mental, emotional, or relational
problems. Feel a Native-American-style gratitude toward nature and creation, and
feel grateful to yourself, for spending time and energy on this ritual healing.
CHAPTER 5 NATIVE AMERICAN HEALING 79
