Many besides Pavelka use affirmations as part of their toolbox of things to do to help cope with life. I take a dim view of them since my mother used an affirmation that she taught her students but she didn’t really believe what she said. I get the concept but I saw a negative example. When I was in counseling, two of my counselors pointed out that affirmations are simply ways we talk to ourselves. Both also let me know that the way I talk to myself is terrible. I trash talk myself worse than anyone else. A recent Facebook meme got me thinking. The thought suggested that instead of saying, “I’m sorry for being late” I rephrase this to “Thank you for waiting for me, you are so patient with me.” I decided not to kick affirmations to the curb but instead I want to incorporate the concept into a kinder way to talk to myself. Reassure myself that I can do hard things, encouragement instead of criticism, talk as kindly to myself as I talk to most other people. I think I will change affirmations to Positive self talk….I can do this.