I don’t remember the question, only the answer. It happened way back when I was still at school, around age 13 or 14. The teacher looked directly at me and asked a question. In the gap between the asking and me pondering the question, the answer came. The words ‘I AM’ flooded my mind and spilled out of my mouth. Once said, the words hung between us. Either I was spot on or my response bludgeoned her into silence. Somehow I knew something important had transpired.
It was many years later before I pondered the implications of the words ‘I AM’ again. I had joined The School of Philosophy where we explored the big questions in life. One evening we were talking about the one constant in life. Just think about it. Better still, grab some pen and paper. Write the words I AM in the middle of the paper and draw a circle around it. On the outside of the circle, write down the words you typically use to describe yourself. ALL of them, the positive, the not so positive and especially the ones you think and don’t even want to admit to yourself. Perhaps some of the words you are jotting down might be ones like stupid, lazy, critical and tired; others could be hardworking, grateful, happy and energetic. Jot them all down. See if you can do fifteen of each.
Another way to do this exercise is to write ten to twenty sentences starting with the words I AM followed by the descriptors.
Notice that no matter what you say about yourself, the words I AM are constant. Also notice the contradictory words: so for instance both lazy and hardworking could show up. That is perfectly normal. We don’t always work hard, sometimes we take things easy. We live in a world of opposites – a dual plane. There is both light and dark, up and down, front and back and multiple other combinations of opposites. Yet there is a part of you that never changes – I AM.
Recently these two words are coming at me from all angles. Dr Wayne Dyer’s book Wishes Fulfilled talks about the power of these words. He also mentions The I AM Discourses he studied which has had a profound impact on his life.
On Saturday I picked up a book written by a Dr. Venice J. Bloodworth and first published in 1952. The book has been languishing on my bookshelf for several years after I first read it. It turns out this little book called Key to Yourself discusses the same topic, the power of the words I AM.
These two words energise and activate whatever follows it. They are words of creation. Whatever you think or say after I AM you give life to; you conjure into existence like a magician who produces a dove from a silk scarf.
This is a universal law. It works the same for everyone. It’s like the law of gravity; it doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, saint or criminal, big or small, old or young, gravity does what gravity does. What’s more, this knowledge has been around for ages.
‘Why doesn’t anybody teach this stuff?’ my mind screamed. Then it slowly dawned on me I have had access to this information for ages, it was me, the student, who did not hear, did not understand, did not pay attention, was not ready or willing, even though it was right in front of me. Now I AM. I AM ready to hear it, understand it and use it.
For starters I am making a conscious effort to use the words I AM in a way that enhances and supports my life. I AM happy, I AM successful, I AM safe, I AM healthy, I AM full of energy, I AM peaceful, I AM loving, I AM prosperous.
I am also taking note of Venice Bloodworth’s suggestion: ‘Bludgeon’ negative thoughts, doubts and fear with strong positive affirmations whenever they arise. And Wayne Dyer’s suggestion: review your I AMs just before you drift off to sleep because the last thought in your mind before falling asleep can stay there for up to four hours. That’s equivalent to four hours of programming from just a moment’s contemplation before falling asleep.
I reckon I have nothing to lose and much to gain. How about you? Are you up for it?
Photo credit: Aldon Scott Mc Leod
