So every night, we begin with our prayers. At the end of the prayers, we each say something we are thankful for and something we pray for. Natalie still gets these mixed up a bit, and the boys have a good laugh about it. Actually, this part came from a Marshall Sylver course we took. We had to give something to someone else for them to remember us by and each time we would look at it or touch it we would say what we were thankful for.

My gift was from Ryan. He gave me a flat, pink, polished stone that he had polished himself. Ryan, at the time, was a successful real estate investor at the age of 18. He was a great inspiration. Anyway, I walked around with that stone in my pocket for probably a year. Each time I touch put my hand in my pocket, I would touch the stone and it would remind me to be thankful for something. Anything. As I write this, I am remembering that I haven’t carried that stone with me for a long time. I will do that starting tomorrow (Maybe you could send me a reminder, okay?). Luckily, the “thankful for/pray for” that we do every night keeps me honest.

Some point along the way, Matthew added: “And now we shall live for Christ” to the end of this. He is very perceptive.

Next, as a transition between the prayers and the declarations, we all state something thing that Amelia added and that was:

Every day, in every way, it’s getting better and better!

Then we go straight into the declarations. We started out using the signature Peak Potentials laminated cards (I had created one card for each of the kids, each with their name on it). The declarations come from many sources, and mostly from the T. Harv Eker courses we have taken. After a few weeks, we didn’t need the cards anymore. This is how it goes:

Everyone loves me!
Because I love everyone!

I am beautiful!
I am perfect just as I am!

I always smile!
Smiling just feels right!

I am a master of my mind!
I see “awesome” in everything!

I am happy!
I choose to make it so!

I am here for a reason!
I add value to other people’s lives!

I am a child of God!
I make this world a better place!

I improve continuously!
I practice everything!

I am a warrior!
I succeed in spite of anything!

I am a champion!
I achieve anything I desire!

I am Kyle Edginton!

We end off the last part by saying our name (please replace my name with your own or that of your child) and giving each other a solid, energetic Hi-5. Okay, so not always energetic, but a Hi-5 nonetheless. It is bedtime after all. The point is that saying our own name and striking a Hi-5 afterwards, helps to imprint what you have just said in your mind and make it believable for you.

Has it made a difference? I think so. The kids fit over who gets to say their “thankful for/pray for” first. They have creative ways of giving Hi-5s…and 10s…and feet…and whatever else they can think of.  My kids are happy (generally). They care about other people (mostly). They are confident (nearly always). And they are beautiful (ABSOLUTELY!!!).

Has it made a difference?

I am Kyle Edginton!
I say it does!

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The one thing I really enjoy about writing is you can say pretty much anything you want to get people’s attention. Elvis is not God, though you may get some argument from young ladies my age. Elvis did have God like abilities and I can prove it. God said, “Let there be light and there was light”. The most important single word in the last sentence is “SAID”. God “said” and it came to be. Because God believes that what He says will happen, and it does. Elvis said and believed he would die at the same age as his mother, and he did. Elvis followed God’s law; “If you say it with your mouth and believe it in your heart you can have anything you desire.” He was so attached to his belief that he created the circumstances that brought it to pass. It’s a negative proof, but hey let’s learn from the King and use it to our benefit.

My belief is we are made in the image of God and can use His principles right here and right now. He’s created certain laws that work for us all. And like most laws of nature and physics they can be used in both positive and negative outcomes. If we would just start paying attention to the words that come out of our mouth we can change our circumstances and our beliefs about ourselves dramatically.

Words are things and words mean something. Marilyn (my wife) gets frustrated with me because I’m always saying to her, “Don’t say that”. “I think I’m catching a cold”, no you’re not, don’t say that. “Traffic is going to be horrible”, “We won’t be able to get a table”, “I’ll be so tired when we get there”, no, NO, No….don’t say that!

You and I hear everything that spews from our toothy cavity. We don’t want to be liars and so our mind and body strive to create the world around us to match that which we say. Our mind is the computer we’re constantly programming, take charge of the hard drive. We also allow others to program us by agreeing with what they say about us. “You look tired; you must be coming down with something”. “No I’m not thank you, I’m fabulous, but I’ll get better”. I don’t allow sick or sloppy talking in my home, and you shouldn’t either.

Reverse the process and use it to your advantage. Start speaking good and positive things about yourself and your family. Why do is it so important to keep telling your spouse and your children I Love You. It’s almost impossible to say it too much.

And, just what is emotional abuse? It’s the opposite of saying I Love You. Encouraging words lift our spirits, lighten our load when someone says an affirming statement to us. And when they do; ACCEPT it and acknowledge to yourself that you are the wonderful person they just said you are. For some strange reason our mind wants to agree with our negative self image and dismiss the good we are and do as uncommon actions.

You are, I am who I believe and think and say I am. We have the God like ability, just like Elvis, to bring about circumstances that match what we said our life will become. So be alert and aware of your verbiage, especially your self-talk (that annoying voice in between your two ears). You will be amazed what you say about yourself if for just one day you write down some of the inner conversation.

If you analyze you own self talk you’ll understand you have in life exactly what you have said you’ll have.

I’m Fabulous; but I’ll get better;

CW

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I trust you enjoyed that message. To read more by CW, visit his blog at “Fabulous at 30, 40, 50 and Beyond.”