AARON WAYNE DUKE Daily Affirmations Growing the garden of your mind

Copyright © 2016 Aaron Duke & 34 West Publishing ™ Galesburg IL 61401 USA

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1523837496

ISBN-10:1523837497
 DEDICATION

To Dara, Zion, Adam and Ayden.

My parents

John and Sherri Wayne

&

David and Janice Duke.

The Wayne, Duke, Becker and Liniger families.

Thank you!

CONTENTS
 Acknowledgments
i
1

GIGO
3
2

Everyone believes in me, except me

6
3

Fear and Failure

10
4

Cure yourself
14
5

What to say, how to say it

17
6

The 3 x 5 Notecard
19
7

Oodles of Affirmations
22
8

Beyond Basic Training

25
9

A work in progress
31
10

Affirmation Encyclopedia
39
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The concept of speaking positive affirmations is not new. It has been practiced
by millions for the purpose of creating and managing a better attitude, positive mindset and
increased productivity in personal and professional endeavors.
The following pages contain powerful, positive, present tense and personal
phrases. These phrases are more than words on paper. The phrases contain power and
energy. These phrases will transform your mind and help reprogram it for success. You can
eliminate and remove negative thoughts, desires and actions. You can build positive self-
esteem.
This book was written to inspire you. It is a simple guide to a building a
completely new you, from the inside out. You can begin to grow the garden of your mind.
You can do it!

-Aaron

1 GIGO

The first chapter of this book is simple. Garbage in, garbage out. World class
athletes don’t eat candy bars, pastries, doughnuts, potato chips and drink sweet tea to
prepare for competitions. If they did, everyone would be a world class athlete. Successful
people don’t say things like “I’m stupid. I’m fat. I’m ugly. I can’t do it. I’ll never win.”
The words we think and speak have power and bring results. Words are seeds. They
grow and yield a harvest. The harvest depends on what you plant. If you plant corn, you get
corn. Sadly, there are people who continue to do what they have always done and expect
different results. You don’t have to be one of those people. You can put the words and
phrases in this book into practice today and begin a wonderful path towards a better
attitude, increased energy and lifelong success.
Before we get started let’s take a quick quiz. The good news is that you don’t
have to study for it. Just answer the questions honestly. There are no other answers except
yes or no. Ready?

My Attitude Quiz

Do you want to change?

Do you want to change today?
Do you have the ability to change?

Let’s see what the correct answers to our short quiz are!

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

If you want different results you must do things differently. You can not repeat
the same negative self-talk and suddenly wake up tomorrow and be a positive person.
Garbage in, garbage out. Let’s start by repeating this simple phrase.

I LIKE MYSELF

Say it out loud, say it for several minutes. Some may find it difficult to do. I
actually recommend that you stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself as you say this
phrase over and over. It may seem silly or even difficult but this phrase is our foundation to
building a better you. Are you ready for your first homework assignment?

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Say “I like myself” ten times, moments after you awake. Repeat it again at lunch
and say it again just before you retire for the evening. No matter how you choose to
complete the assignment, finish it!
Please don’t skip this important first step towards growing the garden of your
mind! Once you complete this homework assignment, you may continue to Chapter 2.
 2 Everyone believes in something

I spent a few years of my childhood in the small town of Knoxville, Illinois. I

remember playing in the park, watching fireworks on the 4th of July and spending Saturday
afternoons inside the Earl Theater on Main Street. I played with my cousins and uncle in
the back yard for hours. I climbed trees and shot marbles. I was happy child. Sadly,
something happened because I didn’t stay happy.
I was in grade school when I started to believe that my family was poor. It wasn’t
a stranger that pulled me aside and told me that I was poor. It wasn’t because I was
homeless, abandoned or neglected. It was because I heard one of my parents say, “We’re
poor.”
I can tell you that they weren’t being serious when they said it. In fact, there
were smiles and laughter as that short sentence was spoken. But, something very powerful
happened in my young mind. The phrase “We’re poor” was planted in my mind and over
the years it would grow into the size of a mountain.
I would be in a store looking at an item, see the price tag and immediately think,
“We’re poor. We can’t afford it.” I would long for toys, bicycles and many things a young
child is excited by. I would grow disappointed and sometimes angry because I now
believed that I would never own, possess or enjoy anything of value or desire. I actually
enjoyed many things other kids did. I had a big wheel. I had a bicycle. I had toys. But, in
my head, I was poor.
Spoken negative words and phrases would stick in my mind for decades. I
slowly became a person who believed that I was poor, fat and stupid. You see, I had become
conditioned to the spoken word being true, even if it wasn’t. I believed in something but it
sure wasn’t anything positive.
The first time I hit a home run in a little league game I wasn’t surprised. I knew
the moment I made contact with the ball that it was going over the right field fence. It just
felt like a home run. I remember standing at home plate watching the ball soar into the sky
and disappear over a row of parked cars. I had no idea at the time but that moment would
come back to change my life.
Every single time I walked up to the plate, I had one of two thoughts. One
thought was “I’m going to make an out.” The other thought was “I’m going to get a hit.” It
was like the stereotypical angel and devil on the shoulder. Sometimes, I would listen to the
positive thought and almost always make contact with the ball. I hit singles, doubles, triples
and a few home runs! Sometimes, I would listen to the negative thought and it seemed like
when I did, I struck out, flied out or grounded out.
I hit my first home run on a summer night in 1984. It was at O.N. Custer Park in
Galesburg, Illinois. I was in the dugout and the thought of hitting a home run seemed
possible. Then without even realizing it, I began to whisper “I’m going to hit a home run”,
over and over.
By the time the first pitch was on its way, I had already seen the home run
happen. I had closed my eyes and focused on the picture of my mind. It was like a movie
playing in my head. Everything seemed like it happened in slow motion.
I remember everything about that moment. I remember the opposing pitchers
name. I remember swinging and feeling the ball connect with the bat. I remember hearing
my coach say “That’s a home run!”, as he watched the small sphere fly up and away. I
remember watching the ball disappear over the fence. That was the first time I had an
experience with the results of positive affirmation.
I know now that everyone believes in something. They either believe something
to be true or they believe something to be untrue. My twelve year old mind didn’t have the
ability to understand it at the time. I would have enjoyed far more success as a baseball
player if I had believed in myself.
I had coaches who complimented me on my hitting ability. I was the number
pitcher on rotation. I averaged over ten strikeouts a game when I was on the mound. I
batted well over .350 for the season. My parents were my biggest supporters and fans.
Everyone around believed in me, except me. I can only imagine what I could have
accomplished had I believed in myself. Instead I was always facing a battle with self-doubt,
fear and lack of faith in my abilities, talents, skills and gifts.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2

Now that we have one phrase planted in our mind, let’s add another positive
affirmation. This dynamic combination can cause such immediate and powerful changes in
your attitude. Say it over and over. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of your own
voice speaking. Let it wash over you like a gentle rain. Say it now!

I like myself. I believe in myself.

It doesn’t matter what others have said about you. It doesn’t matter what others
think about you. What matters is what you say about you and what you think about you. To
truly see change in your attitude and mindset you must like yourself and you must believe
in yourself. This is not negotiable.

3 Fear and failure

Fear is an ugly word. Just saying the word fear brings fears to mind. Reading the
word fear causes us to think about our fears. Some fear snakes or spiders. There are people
who fear failure. There are people who fail because of fear. If there was one word in the
English language that I wish didn’t exist it is the word fear.
I will tell you something that is not a secret. Fear only exists in your mind. That’s
right. Fear doesn’t have an office. Fear doesn’t have a physical body. Fear is invisible. It
only exists when one allows it to exist. If you accept fear, it becomes real to you. The bible
says “There is no fear in love.” Think about that statement. Say it out loud. THERE IS NO
FEAR IN LOVE.
To truly love oneself, fear can’t exist. It’s simple. If fear exists, you need to love
yourself until it disappears. Love is an action. It is far more than a word. Love requires
patience, kindness, hope and perseverance. If you want to eliminate fear and love yourself
you must understand that the ingredients to love can’t be substituted. The formula can’t be
altered. If the ingredients or the formula to develop love are not used exactly as they are
prescribed failure is eminent.
Rome wasn’t built in one day. Your positive outlook won’t happen overnight
either. It will take time to build a strong foundation of personal belief in yourself.
I have already shared in chapter one that the beginning of your transformation is
speaking and repeating the phrase “I like myself”. I specifically chose that because it is my
deepest conviction that you must like yourself before you can love yourself.
We now must combine the following phrases:
 I like myself.

i believe in myself.

i love myself.

We have now laid down the foundation. The three great pillars of positive
affirmation are set. These three present tense, personal and positive sentences are almost
enough in and of themselves to transform your life. If you only spoke those three phrases
over and over, day after day for weeks and months, you would become a completely
different person.

I LIKE MYSELF.

i believe in myself.

i love myself.

You can experience a change in your attitude. If you are prone to saying things like
“I’m so stupid” or “I’ll never have this or that” or “I could never do that”. Begin right now
saying those three phrases out loud.

I like myself.

i believe in myself.

i love myself.

You could easily stop reading this book right now. The information and suggestions
given to you have been enough for many to go on to very happy, successful lives. Some
have used those three phrases to enrich their personal relationships and businesses. One
thing is certain. Successful people are positive people. They believe in themselves. They
have to! No one’s belief in you will make you believe in you. You must create the belief.
The only way to create a belief is to hear it, over and over and over again.
Parents tell their children they love them. They will spend years and decades
telling their children that they love them. It should come as no surprise that when a child
faces challenges or situations they almost always seek out their parent for advice, support
or help. Why? I believe it is because the words “I love you” spoken over and over again
builds trust.
If you can love yourself, you will begin to trust yourself. You will increase your
confidence and in your abilities to get things done. You will become more successful. Trust
is required to love. Trust is an ingredient in love. To love yourself you must trust that you
will do your best in all things and in all situations.
Think about an area of your life you want to change. It could be your health.
Perhaps you are struggling financially. The promotion at work seems to always elude you.
You can enable change by changing you! Be changed by the renewing of your own mind.

4 Cure yourself

Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux. Every day, in every
way, I’m getting better and better.
- Émile Coué de la Châtaigneraie

The Coué method is often referred to as curing oneself with changes in unconscious
thoughts. Coué taught that the challenges, circumstances and situations could be altered by
changing our thoughts. This amazing French pharmacist and psychologist often treated
groups and individuals for free. He did not believe he had the power to heal anyone but that
rather people had the power to heal themselves.
One of his prominent skills working with patients was reassuring them that
medications he would prescribe were excellent and efficient. Instead of telling his patients
that “this may or may not work” or “let’s see how this works”, Coué simply suggested to
his patients that what they were receiving was good for them.
Did his method work? Some claims say that his success rate helping patients
overcome various physical and mental ailments was over 90%. If true, that is astonishing
considering he lived before modern diagnostic equipment was available.
This doctor simply used the power of positive suggestion with his patients and
many saw tremendous results! Millions have employed his approach and millions are
leading successful, happy, healthy lives. They are simply speaking positive words and
phrases as a part of their everyday activities. If it has worked for millions of others can it
work for you? Absolutely! If, you work it. Your own positive words will to begin to heal
yourself from the inside out. The sooner you start, the faster the results will be.
Do you know that you can change the world? Do you know that you can be
successful in everything you do? Do you know that you can live the rest of your life happy
and fulfilled? You can!
Change your words to change your thoughts! Change your thoughts to change
your actions. Change your actions to change your results. Just remember, it all begins with
your words! Your words are seeds. Plant nothing but positive words and you will reap
nothing but a positive harvest.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

I encourage you to read and study the lives of Coué, Brian Tracy, Bob Proctor,
Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill and Andrew Carnegie. Study success.
Study successful people.
 Some of the most successful and happiest people who have ever lived were called
crazy, dreamers and fools. You will soon find one thing in common with all successful,
happy people. The majority scoffed at their ideas, inventions and dreams. Those same
dreamers and fools were individuals turned the impossible into reality.
The telephone, radio, television, computer, cell phone, automobile and airplane are
all common to us today! But there was a time when none of them existed. There was a time
that someone had an idea, believed in it and made it reality. World changers are positive
thinkers and they use positive affirmations. World changers believe that anything the
human mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Be a world changer, by changing
your world.

5. What to say, how to say it

What you need to say are positive phrases that build you up. Even if you aren’t
as fit as you would like to be, resist the temptation to say “I’m fat, I’m overweight, I’m out
of shape.” Instead say, “I feel terrific. I feel energized. I feel inspired. I enjoy exercise. I am
a healthy person.”
Your mind will start to transform immediately once it hears those positive
affirmations. You will find that over time you will be excited to go for a walk or exercise.
You will become focused and disciplined in the area of your physical health.
The key is to recognize what you want to change and then assign positive
phrases to that situation or challenge you are facing. It’s important to understand that you
can focus on just one area of your life. It will yield far greater results creating a complete
list of affirmations to speak and repeat that are designed to improve all areas of your life.
In this chapter, I’m going to include a small sample affirmation list. This list is
just a guide for you to follow. This list can be added to as one feels necessary. Memorize
your affirmations. Repeat them often. Say them with enthusiasm.
Grab a notebook and a pen and get ready to create your own, personal
affirmations. Look at the sample and then write down your own. Take your time. Make sure
they are following the rule of P’s.
Positive. Present tense. Personal.

sample daily affirmation list

i like myself

i believe in myself

i love myself

i feel happy

i am healthy
 i am successful

i am caring

i am honest

i am respectful

i am responsible

This sample list covers some very basic phrases that are positive, present tense
and personal. The more personal you make them, the better the results. The more you
repeat them, the sooner the results will appear.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Take your pen and paper and write down a minimum of ten affirmations. Read
them out loud several times. Do this every day for at least seven days in a row before going
to chapter 6. Make sure to say your affirmations with enthusiasm and energy. Be excited by
what you are speaking and hearing.

6 the 3 x 5 notecard

Your next task is a very simple one. Find or buy 3 x 5 notecards. Write one positive,
personal and present tense affirmation on the card. Write as many affirmations on as many
cards as you can. You are creating your winning card deck.
Your card deck will be stacked completely in your favor. Every hand is a winner.
Every card you draw brings success. You simply can’t lose. Imagine if you were in Las
Vegas and it didn’t matter what the dealer gave you at the blackjack table, it would always
be 21! You would never fear losing money. You would be able to bet it all every hand and
know that you would be a winner. You need to have the same attitude towards your positive
affirmation deck that you are creating.
Once you have written down all your affirmations, keep the deck close to you.
Some read the affirmations as soon as they get up in the morning. Although, some prefer to
read them right before they go to bed. The important thing is that you read your deck at
least once a day, every day.
I read of a gentleman who carries his deck with him wherever he goes. He will read
them on his break at work, at lunch or at the airport as he awaits his next flight. He made
reading his deck of affirmations a daily habit for year. Now, success seems to follow him
wherever he goes.
Does making a good living, having healthy relationships and being happy sound
good to you? I hope so. You don’t need to worry about what you want to be when you grow
up. You can just be happy!
In the old West, a snake oil salesman would pitch his elixirs and potions promising
everything from health, love and riches. Thousands spent money on these silly concoctions.
Many people still fall for these preposterous, instant, guaranteed results scams. They
believe that someday they will win the lottery and all their financial woes will be solved.
They hope that a rich relative that they didn’t know about will leave them a small fortune.
They wish. They hope. They waste their time chasing get rich quick schemes.
These type of people also believe that losing weight and feeling healthy can be
purchased in a small bottle of pills. The weight loss industry is a billion dollar industry and
yet millions remain overweight, sick and unhealthy.
Repeating positive words and phrases on a 3 x 5 notecard will change your life. This
small daily task will make you the person you were destined to be.
You were destined to be a happy, successful person. There is no instant success pill.
There is no instant success potion, elixir or concoction. Success and happiness are built by
practicing every day. All I’m asking you to do is get some 3 x 5 notecards, write down
positive affirmations and read them.
Don’t allow your current circumstances to dictate your future. You can be in
prison or in the hospital right now but your future has not been written yet! You can’t let
where you are dictate where you are going.
If you can’t buy 3 x 5 notecards, find something, find anything to write on! Stop
making excuses and start making a difference in your life! Start today, start now!

7 Oodles of affirmations

This chapter is nothing but affirmations. Here you will find oodles of affirmations. I
have included dozens of phrases and sentences that you can adopt or change to your liking
or need. Read the entire list of affirmations out loud with enthusiasm.

I like myself
I believe in myself
I love myself
I feel terrific
I feel happy
I feel healthy
I feel great
I feel motivated
I feel creative
I attract happiness
I feel wonderful
I’m the best
I’m successful
I’m patient
I’m kind to everyone
I care about myself
I am respectful
I am responsible
I am dependable
I am awesome
I am appreciated
I am loved
I am cared for
I am a friendly person
I am great at what I do
I love my job
I’m a great husband/wife
I’m a winner
I attract money
I am debt free
I am fit and trim
I can do it
I work well with others
I am a leader
This challenge has a solution
This situation will have a positive outcome
I have everything I need
I am trustworthy
I am reliable
I speak positively
I eat well
I sleep well
My body is in great condition
I am focused on success
I am able
I am great employee
I’m a great supervisor
I like helping others
I am reaching all my goals
I’m an inspiration for others
 8 beyond basic training

The military has a program called basic training. All soldiers are required to
attend, complete and successfully graduate basic training before they are allowed to explore
other schooling or specialized training. A new recruit can’t receive special forces training.
They must first master basic techniques, manners and responsibilities to show they are
worthy and ready for further, specialized training.
There are basic affirmations and then there are specialized affirmations. Basic
affirmations are great for everyone. Specialized affirmations are designed to bring specific
changes to specific areas of your life. They are meant to make you a special force.
We will now begin your special training. If you have been able to use positive
affirmations on a daily basis for at least thirty days then you are ready. If you have arrived
at this chapter and haven’t done the homework assignments, practiced and completed them,
please do them before proceeding.
I would discourage anyone from jumping straight to the ideas and principles in
this chapter. I want to remind you again that you must set a foundation before you begin
build. There are no shortcuts in building your self-esteem. You should build your self-
esteem to remain strong during the challenges that life will surely present you. Build your
foundation on the firm, disciplined practice of positive affirmations. You must master the
basic affirmation training before entering into the realm of specialized affirmations. I’ll
explain why now.
The mind is not the brain. You may wish to underline that last sentence. I’ll say it
again. The mind is not the brain. When you think of the mind, do you think of the brain? I
did when I first started working with these principles and practices. It took me some time to
understand that I had been taught that the mind and the brain were the same thing. They are
completely separate things.
I’ll ask you to read this chapter several times. This chapter contains one of the
most important teachings I have ever known. This knowledge unlocked the chains of
mental bondage that I found myself in for decades. My life changed the moment I was able
to digest and comprehend the wisdom in this upcoming lesson. Get ready. This upcoming
exercise is meant to change your life.
I hope that you will indulge your imagination for a few minutes. I need you to
remove anything that will distract you. Shut off the television, radio and electronic devices.
Do not be tempted to do or think about anything except the short trip we are about to take.
This trip will only take a few minutes.
Read “The Garden” but read it out loud, slowly. This next exercise contains one
of the secrets to positive mental reprogramming, visualization. Visualization is the secret to
taking your words and turning them in to thoughts.

The Garden

The garden looks beautiful today. The sun is providing a gentle warmth. A soft
breeze brings the fragrance of all the colorful flowers. There are bushes filled with red
roses. Lilies, begonias, daisies and carnations surround the garden. My eyes take in all the
colors of white, blue, green, red, yellow and purple.
I look and see tomatoes on the vine. They are plump and flawless. Green and red
peppers shimmer in the sunlight. The corn stalks are standing tall like a proud soldier with
dozens of ears ready to boil, garnish with a pat of butter and a touch of salt. I see juicy, red
strawberries.
The garden is perfect. The orange carrots are hidden from site but I can hear the
crisp, crunch they will provide. There is green lettuce as large as a bowling ball.
All the flowers, fruits and vegetables are perfect. I can smell the beauty of each
petal. I can taste every delicious bite from the produce awaiting the harvest. I have the
most beautiful garden in the world.

As you read “The Garden”, were you able to start to get a mental picture of what
you were reading about? Could you see the flowers in your mind? Could you imagine
biting into an orange, crunchy carrot or the taste of perfectly cooked corn on the cob with a
pat of butter and a touch of salt? Could you imagine visiting a place like “The Garden”? It’s
time to visit your garden.
Your next homework assignment is simple. Please make sure you are able to sit
in peace and quiet for a few moments. Sit in a comfortable chair or lay down on your bed.
Close your eyes and imagine a garden. You may have any flowers, trees, fruits or
vegetables you would like. The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day. You are walking through
it. Everything about your garden is perfect.
When you decided to open your eyes, take a deep breath. Think about what you
saw in your mind. The images are fresh. The vision of your garden should bring about a
good feeling. It’s your garden. There are no weeds, no bugs or signs of neglect. Your garden
is perfect. It lacks nothing. Everything in your garden has blossomed and has grown exactly
what you wanted.
You are now entering special training. This special training is going to teach you
how to take control of your mind. Your mind can’t be owned by anyone else but you. The
thoughts you have are allowed only by you. No one can take your mind from you except
you. If you give your mind over to negative and unpleasant thoughts you have no one to
blame but you.
Your mind is your garden. Whatever you plant in your mind will grow. Plant
positive thoughts as good seeds, water them with repeated, daily positive affirmations. Your
mind contains the pictures of what you want to see in your life. Happiness, success, love,
accomplishments and financial freedom can grow into reality from the seeds you plant if
your mind. Be a good gardener! When you see weeds, pull them out. When your garden
starts to look dry and needs water, water it.
Do your mental gardening every single day and you will have the most beautiful,
bountiful garden one could ever see. This “mental gardening” may be one of the most
powerful principles one can employ. By combining your positive affirmations with positive
mental images you are now a member of the special forces.
It’s time to become the commander in chief of your life. You give the orders. You
issue commands. You speak and your mind listens. You can create what you want to see in
your life! Close your eyes until a mental picture appears and then speak the affirmation that
corresponds to what you want to become reality.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Practice your visual techniques early in the morning when you first awake or
right before you go to sleep. Close your eyes and get a clear mental picture of what you
want to see in your life. Meditation is the partner of positive affirmation. Meditate to
elevate your positive self-image. Words create the pictures we see in our minds. Use your
words to create positive mental pictures every day. See yourself as healthy and fit. See
yourself closing the sale. See yourself being surrounded by smiling, happy people. See
yourself starting your own business. Get that mental picture of what you want to see in your
life!

9 A work in progress

Bob Proctor once said “Results always tell the truth.” That’s a powerful
statement. It’s important to try to understand why you can’t argue with results. They don’t
lie. Once you become a positive person, others will notice. It is not uncommon for someone
who has lost weight to hear “Have you lost weight, you look terrific!” Why? Because the
results always tell the truth.
R. Buckminster Fuller, a famous architect, stated “Never change things by
fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the
existing model obsolete.”
You are a work in progress. You are building a new you. It’s a new model. The
new you will have a new mind, a new outlook, a new attitude, a new foundation! You
control what comes in to your mind by what comes out of your mouth. You can become
what you were always destined to be.
Will this process of change be easy? No. The only thing that is easy is doing
absolutely nothing. You will be bombarded with negativity every day, sometimes, every
minute. The television, radio, internet and the people around you will be full of negative
news and information. You must be aware of what you are up against. You must create a
new environment for your mind. Elimination of negative influences takes strength,
discipline and courage.
You may find that some of the most negative people are family members. You
may find that your coworkers, boss, neighbor or friends are negative influences. Can you
eliminate all negative things or negative people? No. But, you can change your perception
and outlook. You can utilize your time better by turning off negative influences. Cease
engaging in conversations that waste opportunities for you to be productive.
I must tell you that I never woke up one day and decided to become negative.
Time and influences were all that was necessary to forge the attitudes and outlooks I came
in to as an adult. I learned how to become negative. We learn our behaviors and beliefs
from what we see, hear and experience.
As a child, I was often told I was fat. I’ve looked at many pictures of myself
from my childhood and there are definitely pictures where I was obese and overweight. By
the time I was a senior in high school I was almost six foot tall and weighed 170 pounds. I
was lean, athletic and very active. Sadly, I still thought I was fat, ugly and undesirable.
You see, words and opinions spoken by others had grown in the garden of my
mind. I had no knowledge of how to deflect the negative influences. The seeds of negativity
were planted consistently in the garden of my mind for years. What grew in the garden of
my mind were the weeds of low self-esteem, insecurity, fear and depression. I became
exactly what I thought about myself.
In 1991, I began to starve myself. I deprived myself of food and nutrition on a
regular basis. I was obsessed with my weight. I also began a very sad and disturbing
thought process of desiring to see how thin I could get. At the end of the summer I stepped
on the scale in my apartment in Muncie, Indiana. I weighed 134 pounds. I looked up in the
mirror. There stood an emaciated, gaunt, unhealthy, sad looking nineteen year boy. I was
too thin. In my mind, I was still fat, undesirable and ugly.
Twenty years later I would reach a weight of over 350 pounds. Two decades of
negative thinking, poor self-esteem and depression were killing me from the inside out. I
would cry. I would avoid mirrors and people. I did everything I could do to avoid people. I
remember the day I had to purchase a size 5X shirt and how embarrassed I was to take it to
the cashier.
I was completely exhausted mentally, physically and spiritually. I was forty two
years old, my business was failing, my health was failing, I was failing.
I knew what to do to change it all but for some reason I couldn’t. I could hear a
voice inside me say “Get up!” but I wasn’t able to get up.
I would receive encouragement from people who loved me and it went in one ear
and out the other. I was able but not willing to experience the pain and discomfort of
changing my thoughts, words and actions.
In 2015, I went through the most challenging year of my life. It was also the year
my mouth and my mind made the connection to work together for my benefit instead of my
demise.
I was reading a martial arts business book by one of my mentors, John Graden.
John is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the martial arts business
world. He launched the very first professional martial arts business associations that went
on to generate revenues in the tens of millions. Under his leadership, many martial artists
and martial arts schools found financial success that was unheard of. People went from
being black belts in martial arts to being black belts in business.
John is student first, teacher second. He amazes me how much time and effort he
puts in to learning new skills. For whatever reason, I just connect with what John has
written and taught. I began to look at his influences, teachers and mentors. I tried my best to
follow his advice.
I started reading more books, I listened to more podcasts, interviews and
seminars. I immersed myself in listening, reading and watching Brian Tracy, Bob Proctor,
Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie and others.
I had heard others talk about positive affirmations before but I never really used
them.
I had a small book filled with Bible promises in my library for years. I would flip
through it from time to time but never used it with any real consistency. It was like a life
preserver mentality. I only went to it when I felt like I was drowning from the troubles
going on in my life.
I only knew several positive people. These people often annoyed me with their
positive outlooks. They are the kind of people who can always find something positive to
say. There could be miserable weather conditions and these people never complain about
the cold, the wind, the rain, the snow or the ice. Someone could be rude to them or they
would get cut off in traffic and they would just smile.
I often would joke that they probably had a prescription for “Happy Pills”. I just
could not grasp how anyone could be that happy or that positive without some kind of
medication.
I wasn’t a positive person. I was a negative person. I complained about
everything. There is nothing more unattractive than a negative person. I kept struggling
with my career, my weight, my relationships and my business. I just couldn’t make the
connection that the words I spoke about myself had created the negative world I was living
in.
I remember clearly the first day I took out a 3 x 5 notecard and wrote down these
words;

I am happy. I am healthy. I am debt free.

I stared at that card for quite a few minutes before I spoke the words written on
it. Once I got going I must have said those three sentences over and over for an hour. Each
repetition brought enthusiasm to hear the words again. Slowly, I began to feel better. I
began to start thinking about all my blessings. I got up, tied my shoes and went for a walk. I
began to think of ways to work on rebuilding my life, relationships and business. In just
sixty minutes I went from staring out the window, sitting in a dark room, to taking a walk
and brainstorming solutions for my financial challenges.
My life is completely different today. I like me. I believe in me. I love me. I am a
work in progress. I am writing the script to my life story. I am using positive affirmations
daily. I am seeing the results and results always tell the truth. I’m not finished yet. I’m
continuing to build, nurture and grow the garden of my mind. I can assure you that results
are well worth the work.
There must be a positive picture in the garden of your mind. You must
understand that the words you speak, you will believe. The belief causes the action and the
action brings you the result. If you are tired of being unhappy, broke unsuccessful change
your words now.
I will repeat that there is no quick fix to your life. It will take time, effort, energy
and discipline to initiate the changes needed to see results. We will experiences failures but
we are not born to be failures. The sky is the limit concerning what you can achieve in life!
Your potential has no limit!
In closing, please remember that this book is just one part of a system that has
impacted millions of people’s lives. Positive affirmations are the first step in building a life
that brings happiness and success. Self-esteem brings confidence. Confidence brings faith.
Faith brings belief. Your belief in you dictates your destiny.
You were born for greatness. You were born creative. You were born to dream.
You were born to succeed. You were born with two of the most powerful tools necessary to
build a happy and successful life, your mind and your words. Take the power of those gifts
and utilize them today, now.

AFFIRMATION TIPS

Be honest with where you currently are and where you want to be.
Make your first goal learning to like yourself.
Write down statements or phrases that are positive, personal and present tense.
Read your affirmations out loud, daily.
Carry your affirmations with you to look at and read until you can memorize them.
Meditate. Find quiet time every day or night to create a mental picture of what you
want to see in your life.
Eliminate negative people from your life. You are the company you keep.
Find mentors. Study under people who are happy, successful and positive.
Remember that your mind is a garden. What grows in it is your responsibility.
Words are powerful. Words are like seeds. They grow where they are planted.
Garbage in, garbage out.
 10 AFFIRMATION ENCYCLOPEDIA

Affirmations for self esteem

I like myself

I believe in myself

I love myself

I am the best at what I do

I am attractive

Affirmations for weight loss or management

I look great

I feel terrific

I am fit and trim

I am healthy

I like to exercise

I am motivated
 I have an abundance of energy

Affirmations for work, employment, business

I can do it

I love my work

I love my job

I am a team player

This challenge has a positive solution

This situation has a positive outcome

I am a great listener

I am a great salesperson

I attract success and success is attracted to me

I love to help people

I love my customers

I show appreciation to everyone

I am patient

I am kind

Every day in every way I’m getting better

Affirmations for personal growth and relationships

I am a great friend
 I am a good listener

I am caring

I am honest

I am respectful

I am responsible

I am compassionate

I am forgiving

I am loving

I am a positive person

I have a positive mind

I am a great husband/wife

I am a great parent

I am trustworthy

I am reliable

I am a good example for others

I am a leader

Affirmations for finances or wealth

I love saving money

I am responsible with money

I love my job

I can do it

I am successful
 I have products/services that others want

I have products/services that others need

I have products/services that others desire

My wealth is increasing everyday

I attract money and money is attracted to me

I graciously give and I graciously receive

Affirmations for athletes

I am the best

I am a champion

I am unstoppable

I am unbreakable

I am ready

I can do it

Nothing can stop me

My body works perfectly

I am trained and ready

I am a winner

Today is my best day

Affirmations for mood, attitude and outlook

 I have everything I need

I have no lack in my life

I am happy

I feel happy

I am loved

I feel loved

Today is a great day

I am thankful for everything I have

I am blessed

I am going to enjoy this day

I accept all the blessings I will receive today

I am awake, alive and alert

Today is the best day of my life

Create your own affirmations! Keep and carry this book with you! Stay focused and
stay positive!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A gifted speaker, teacher and presenter, Aaron works nationwide helping educate
and inspire children, youth and adults through his books, public speaking and martial arts
seminars.

He is also the author of the children’s book

"You can not lick your elbow!"

Follow Aaron on Twitter @AWaynesWorld

Visit his official web site

www.aaronwaynesworld.com