I met Harriet, a 70+ year-old woman, at a lecture I was giving at Temple Emanu-El on Social Media. After my presentation, she started to tell me about her daughter who is a psychotherapist who also wrote a book. Her book was on affirmations.
“It’s really a wonderful book,” she told me. “I know you would find it very helpful.”
I wasn’t quite sure why she thought that, but I told her to pick the book up for me and I would certainly pay her back.
After that, Harriet showed me the book one night after services. When I flipped through it, I was convinced that I would enjoy this.
About a month went by and Harriet called my office and cell phone to tell me that she ordered the book and it came in. “When will I see you again?” she asked.
This past Sunday, I met up with Harriet and she gave me a copy of her daughter’s book, “Presence of Mind Mindful Affirmations,” by Arlene K. Unger, Ph.D. I gave her the cash I owed her and when I went home later in the day, I flipped through it again.
Her daughter, Dr. Unger, explains both on her web site and in her book the importance of staying in the moment. She states that it is a learned skill but once you master it, it will manage stress, cultivate your inner strength, and help you connect to a happier you.
I thought about this. Then continued to read a paper Dr. Unger wrote on Mindful Affirmations, which is free, along with a host of other white papers on her web site, www.realpsychsolutions.com.
All too often, we all think about what happened in the past or what’s going to happen in the future, with very little regard for what is happening at this very moment. The book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle also discusses this concept.
Whatever the reason, we all do it and both Dr. Unger and Mr. Tolle try to bring us back. In Alrene Unger’s book, she provides the reader with 31 affirmations. On the side of the affirmation, is an area in which she encourages you to write your thoughts down. She writes, “read and ponder one affirmation a day… make notes to yourself… leave it on your nightable… keep in your purse… don’t rush… enjoy!”
I read the first affirmation:
“Sometimes I feel like an ominous storm is fast approaching. When I remember to breathe deeply, think clearly and plant my feet squarely on the ground, I can find my way forward.”
Interesting? Makes you think… Maybe things aren’t as bad as they may seem….
