Whatever Follows I AM Follows You

I am Kind and Joyful

Think back. Do you remember the day you realized you were in control of your thoughts? Prior to my recent deep dive into mindset, this simple statement: “Whatever Follows I AM Follows You” was completely unknown to me. I was also informed — now that I’d read that statement — I was required to add only positive words behind it. Just as you can’t un-ring a bell, I couldn’t get it out of my head, the constant clang, clang, clang rang on as the phrase tumbled around in my brain. I ruminated on it for days until I settled into this truth: Whatever follows I am is not only who I am now, but who I will be going forward.

It was choice. I hadn’t considered that I could choose who I was going to be just by changing what I told myself. I tried many iterations of it. I AM a woman. I AM a daughter. I AM a nurse. I AM a mom. I AM a wife. Those initial words were clear statements for me. I was comfortable owning them.

But other words I wore just as comfortably were not my own. They were negative, mean-spirited, painful words, stupid, dumb, weirdo, idiot, ugly, not good enough. Yes, I owned and used those words on myself daily. Those untruths that others told me had become my words too. The clanging of those hateful words tumbled louder with my newfound saying, Whatever Follows I AM Follows You.

How could this be? Could I really change who I was by changing what I told myself? I’d been comfortable wearing those negative words for years. Go from being meanspirited to kind? Is that possible?

Isn’t it interesting how we rarely consider the power of our words, especially when we use them on ourselves? But the majority of the population goes through their day criticizing themselves, just as I had, for their perceived lack. How few people use their words to consistently elevate themselves. Imagine being as kind to yourself as you would be to your grandmother, or a stranger. What If… I wondered. What if I allowed myself to think positive thoughts?

I started small, and quietly, internally, definitely not out loud. Whatever Follows I AM Follows You. I AM ok. I AM nice. I AM helpful. Nothing drastic. I repeated, I AM aware that my thoughts create my reality, and whatever follows I AM, follows me. Gradually, a shift started.  Wow, perhaps this could be true! Then, I became a bit bolder. I began saying positive words to myself while looking in a mirror. Who was this person peering back at me? The one with tears in her eyes just hearing, I AM Brave. I AM Bold. I AM Confident. I AM Worthy. I AM Enough.

That was the day my dear, supportive mate arrived behind me to say, “No, my sweet love, you are not just enough, You Are More Than Enough.” Since that day I use my positive words like a badge honor.

This transformation began several months ago. I now sing it from the mountaintop, because I know if I, a woman with 60+ years of inner critic and a harsh imposter perched on her shoulder can stand in front of people as a keynote speaker, published author, and proud spokesperson of Own Your Value, You Are More Than Enough, is able to say I AM Competent, Powerful, Successful, then you can too!

For those of you who already Own Your Value, congratulations, I’m proud of you. For those who aren’t there yet, lean on the faith I have in you, and begin. The process isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon, and it’s for the rest of your life. Twice daily, like brushing your teeth, I AM….

The kindness I’ve gifted to myself has brought me more joy than I can say. I love the new me, and so does everyone else. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I created myself.

Join me. It’s available to you too.