Some say that you are what you eat. And while that may be true on a physiological level, I think an even deeper truth is that you are what you say. The power of our words to shape reality is incredible. Scientists are discovering what the mystics of many traditions have known since the beginning of speech matter is vibration, just like sound. Our words, which are organized sounds with particular frequencies, are one of the most direct ways that we affect the vibration of the world.

In most ancient religions and some indigenous cultures, the power of creation was ascribed to a sound. The stories basically say that a powerful being uttered a particular vibration, and that vibration made form. Whatever your belief system, the universality of this concept of the power of vibration makes me think there must be some truth to it.

The power of vibration also shows up in science. Dr. Masaru Emoto proved the power of words to affect the cellular structure of water with his water crystal experiments several years ago. He examined the shape that frozen water cells would take after certain phrases were spoken to the water. The cells that had been told negative things like you are ugly or I hate you took on distorted, fragmented shapes that did not conduct much light. But the water that was told I love you and thank you took on crystalline prismatic shapes that amplified any light that passed through them.

Well, the human body is over 70 percent water. If the vibrations of words can have that profound of an affect on external water cells, what about our own?

The tricky thing about this power is that it works whether we consciously intend it or not. While there is more power when we are speaking with intent, even unconscious words still carry energy and adjust the vibration of the world around us.

Because we have free will, we can say anything we please. If we say the same things frequently, they become an affirmation. This can work to our benefit or detriment, depending on what we say.

For example, if you often say that you dont have enough money, or that you are bad at something, or that you are a failure, those words shape your reality. They become negative feedback loops that trap you in a pattern of making those words true. Note that thoughts also carry vibratory energy, so even thinking such self-limiting thoughts repetitively can be harmful.

Luckily this power works the other way, too. As shown with the water experiments, if you say that you love yourself, that you are capable, that you are healing, or that you can learn, then these affirmations manifest as your reality.

I am not advocating for you to lie. It is not about saying something false, like that you have all the money in the world if you can barely pay your bills. But there is a way to frame your statements to allow the space for positive growth and transformation. In the case of money, an honest and positive affirmation would be to say I am choosing to create a healthy relationship with money’ or I open to receive overflowing monetary abundance from now on.

Some other examples of positive affirmations:

• I love and accept myself.
• I am grateful for my bodys health and strength.
• I create relationships that are fair, healthy, and joyful.
• I am capable of anything when I align my desires with my actions.

Our words create our world. Thoughts become things. We can allow negative verbal patterns to disfigure us, or we can choose positive words to craft our reality. With consistent practice and conscious intent, positive affirmations take root in our cells, and can actually alter our lives in profound ways.