Creating your future with words and thoughts...

I recently had a great conversation with my best friend and an old pal from our university days. As we shared stories and our experiences in life, I was struck by a powerful realisation: the impact of our words and thoughts.

It was one hot dumsor afternoon, my best friend from the UK called out of the blue. We hadn't talked in a while, so catching up felt great. He shared stories from a recent work trip he embarked on, while I grumbled about my dumsor situation.

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We cheered each other up by talking about our families and how grateful we were for what we had. Then, my friend surprised me by reconnecting us with an old pal from our university days who's now living in the US. As we waited for the call to connect, memories from our school days flooded back. When our friend's voice finally came through the line, we shouted out our childhood nicknames in excitement.

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We laughed about old times, like how our university pal (CheChe) used to dress like he was from America and dream about joining the US Navy. I recall him saying statements like, "I am going to join the US Navy when I finish university, I will be living in the US, and I am an American citizen." As at the time, these were wild dreams coming from someone with no connections in America.

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But amidst the laughter and shared stories, a profound realization dawned upon me. Reflecting on CheChe's journey—from a young student in KNUST to becoming an ex US Army Officer and now a Data Analyst.

Why am I sharing this with you today?

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Let me quickly refresh your minds with these 3 scriptures;

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1. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Proverbs 18:21 KJV
2. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” – Proverbs 23:7 (NIV)
3. “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:25-26 (NIV)

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We are what we say and think of ourselves every single time. Whether you believe it or not. The things we say to ourselves, repeatedly, can have a profound impact on our lives. As the Bible tells us, "What we say with our mouths is a reflection of what is in our hearts" (James 1:26). The conversation with my friends made me reflect on the power of positive confessions and affirmations.

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This isn't just about big dreams, either. Positive affirmations can also help us get through tough times. When we're facing challenges, reminding ourselves of our strengths and past successes can give us the courage to keep going.

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So, what are you affirming in your own life? Are your words helping you move forward, or holding you back? Take some time today to reflect on your own self-talk. You might be surprised at the power your words have.

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Here are some tips to help you.

• Be specific. The more specific your affirmations, the more powerful they will be. For example, instead of saying "I want to be happy," you could say "I am grateful for my loved ones and for the good things in my life."
• Be present tense. Affirmations should be stated in the present tense, as if they are already true. For example, say "I am confident and capable" instead of "I will be confident and capable."
• Be believable. Don't say affirmations that you don't believe in. If you're not sure where to start, focus on affirmations that reflect your values.

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May our thoughts and the words we speak help to weave resilience, hope, and unwavering faith into the fabric of our lives, leading us to the best tomorrows possible.

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