Home / faith / focus / life / mind games / ya-ttitude / Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
I have used Emile Coue’s most famous quote of “day by day in every way I am getting better and better,” a few time in my past posts. I think we will delve a little deeper into just what that quote can do for YOU! I have dubbed this short series “Mind Games” and though the definition has multiple meanings I hope that the post just prior to this one has pointed to the definition I had in my mind. Mind Games - like that negative connotation is about working the mind, working your mind into frenzy, altering your senses and sense-abilities; but from the Ya-ttitudeTM-positive perspective. We will apply these games in a way that
sharpens the deep caverns of your mind so your subconscious becomes your new best friend; always standing at the ready, always there to protect you, always there to help you and always there to remind you of just what you need to do, and just how to get it done.
If you have not read my post just prior to this one, it would be a great time to stop and read: Mind Games: Tuning Up the Band, and then come back and pick up right here where you would have left off. If you have already read it then let’s get this party started.
Mind-Mastery is quite the tricky business and not something I claim expertise or command over; but if you continue to exercise your mind and work your thought process into a finely honed tool then that will be your self-preservation savior, then you can be the Master of your own mind.
Suggestion is one of the most powerful mind tools that there is. Just think about all of those infomercials, advertisements and all of those con-men who make their livings “suggesting” things to you that you JUST HAVE TO HAVE! We will get to methods of suggestion in a few posts from this one and once you fully understand how they really work on you, avoiding them will be easy and will make you a better life for you to live within.
Auto-suggestion is a form of suggestion, only this time you will play the role of super sales person and drive your own needs and wants into you! Now, since this piece is titled “Now I lay Me Down to Sleep,” let’s do a simple mind-game; one that will become part of your nightly ritual; one that is part of mine.
Remember: This is just one part of that mind game you will play; but when we get through these lessons you will realize how much of an integral part it will play.
Upon finding that comfortable spot in your bed and as you feel yourself relaxed and you feel your mind start to open up to the developments of thoughts and ideas (just breath and relax - it will come to you). Recite the following:
“Every day in every way I am getting better” - that’s right and again! “Every day in every possible way I am getting better.” The go for ten times - if you can do it out loud to yourself - it would be all the better, but at the very least “mouth” the words as you say them to yourself.
“Each and Every Day I am Getting Better in Every Way!” Then personalize it! Tell it to yourself like you are that super salesman and are selling the concept to you!
“Benny” - “You know that each and every day - You are so much better - So much better in every possible way” - And Again… Twenty times is always the charm. So make it part of your nights ritual - twenty times!
Emile Coue really preached the fact that this statement, affirmation should be very vague. As non-descriptive as possible. No specifics at all. Just-“Better!” - You are Better! You are getting better! Every day You are Better! In every way You are Better! And I would tend to agree that keeping the statement vague but strong is the definite way you should start this self-sales program. But as in everything we do, we want to grow and get better and so will this affirmation.
Stick to the basic line, and of course, personalize it and tweak it to fit for you!
You are Better - You are always getting Better - No need to be perfect - Just Better! Every day you will be better. Every day you are getting better. You are getting better because you want to be better and you have to be better.
I recommend using this in its more simple form for at least the first 90-days of your minds-self-sales training and then you make it even better.
Day 91… You get stronger. You tell yourself where and how. You are better today than you were yesterday and again tomorrow better than today.
You are a better reader and a better writer.
You are a better parent and a better child.
You run faster, longer and harder and your mind and your body are stronger.
You cry better and you laugh better.
You are better at your job and make those who work with you better.
You are a better learner and a better teacher.
You are a better Lover and your lover is better to you.
You love better and are able to feel loved better than ever before.
You are now a better friend and your friends are better for it.
You smile better and brighter and you make others smile better and brighter.
The list can go on forever and should. Personalize it. Make it yours. Everything you have become; a better person and in that all the other people around you have become better!
October 8th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Thanks so much for sharing these positive thoughts to sleep on with us. Affirmations are an intrinsic part of mind mastery and without doubt auto-suggestion works well.
I can testify to the effectiveness because I’ve been using affirmations to sleep on and affirmations when I rise since March and I find that they help me maintain a positive focus for those harried and busy in between hours.
Medical studies have linked a lack of sleep to everything from disruptions in the immune system to cognitive deficits to weight control. And, as days get shorter and the weather gets colder, I find myself getting into bed earlier and sleeping longer too. As green architect Carol Venolia reports, good sleep supports good health and productivity at work. When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep I make 4 basic environmental preparations that she recommends. I also have done some research that resulted in 12 sleep facts and tips. If you are interested these can be found in my post titled: Getting a Good Night’s Sleep http://thistimethisspace.com/2008/03/16/getting-a-good-nights-sleep/
It’s good to have you back again. Best wishes for better blogging.
October 8th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
As always Benny - what an inspiration! Studies prove positive words form the most beautiful of crystals.
October 8th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I feel so much better! Thanks! I am so glad to see you back to your regular blogging schedule Benny. We all rely on your positive morale! Keep the troops alive
What a wonderful list and a much needed positive reminder for all of us. You know, I was just thinking about how much I have learned from blogging in the last six months, and back when I first started out it would take me forever to just get one blog post up, or get my pictures aligned…for a long time I was digging and stumbling and commenting in a vacuum until I finally found the right community of friends in the blogosphere.
I have learned how to read code, how to navigate a bunch of different social networks, and have learned that blogging isn’t like writing a boring research paper for school at all…all the rules the teachers want you to follow need to be relatively thrown out the window so that you can properly captivate and educate an internet audience. It is a whole new world, and one that is finally becoming easier. A lot easier.
Anyways, progress not perfection, eh?
October 8th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Each and every day I am getting better in every way!
Thanks so much Benny. I really do like this. Thanks for sharing it with everyone. I really don’t know what else to say. You’ve already said it. It’s just great!
October 8th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Benny, another awesome post. To be positivie is to think positive. What better way than to say today I am better than I was yesterday. hmmm… that means tomorrow I will be the best.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Great post Benny!! My favorite collection of books known as the Bible says; as a man thinks, so is he. I have found that the use of a CD alarm clock is a great tool. I use it for positive reinforcement with teaching scripture and music as I am sleeping and to wake with. It makes an amazing difference in my day.
I like ya-titude!!!
October 12th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Oh this is a good one Benny!! It is especially important as I’ve found thinking conscious positive thoughts right before drifting off is far more powerful than any other time for me. Although always important there is a lot of power in doing it while going to sleep.
When I can out of the rainforest I was dreaming music almost every night. I had no musical training and was asked to perform…and was performing (piano solos). I would wake myself and record what I was hearing in my sleep. But I got tired of waking all the time. So I started to set a precedent that I would stay asleep, memorize the music and remember it in the morning. It work!! It was actually surprisingly simple, more so than I thought it would be. SO I know form experience that doing this while going to sleep is exceedingly potent. No mater what you apply it to.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Great post Benny…you don’t need to convince me…I’ve been “talking positively ” to myself before I fall asleep a night for as long as I can remember…it is what I’ve always done to get me on track and keep me there…not sure what I would have done without it?
Cheers
October 15th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Great nightly ritual, will do!