How many times a day do you suppose you say “I want (something)?”

Looking into a future time and imagining that we have something different than we have now is something we do almost without thought. It’s very much ingrained in our training, and in our culture. (How would advertisers ever sell anything if they didn’t convince us to want something we don’t already have?)

We all know the pitfall of that line of thinking, and yet, it’s very difficult to get away from.

I mean, really, look at all the cool stuff that’s out there ~ all the stuff that makes our lives easier, or makes us feel better…I could write a book about that - but that’s really off the point.

The point is - what you say day in and day out, you hear ~ and ultimately believe.

So, when you say “I want…”, you hear “I don’t have…”

That’s why most of the affirmation gurus all tell us to stop saying “I want…”, and start saying “I have…”.

Good advice. Here’s the thing, though. When I say I have something that clearly I don’t, my internal editor jumps up before I can move on, and says, “No, you don’t!” I suppose if I did this often enough, for a long enough time, I could convince myself it was true ~ maybe. I’m pretty practical, though, and “faking it until I make it” really takes a lot of effort for me.

And, another thing: if someone else is listening when I say I have it - well, we don’t want to go there

SO…

I found a solution ~ ~ a way to stop saying “I want…” without lying to myself (and without getting those funny looks.)

I simply substitute, “I prefer…”

Let that sink in for a moment. Think of something that you don’t have yet, and say it… “I prefer a new . . .”

Doesn’t that feel better? There’s no lack there. In fact, the message I get from it is, “I’m ok with what I have. I’d prefer something else, if anyone’s listening.”

Certainly does change my perspective! How about you?

What do you prefer? Give it a try, and Just Imagine That!