by Asha Oshun'Mali

Created on: September 05, 2009

As individuals, we may spend many years dealing with the fallout of negative statements presented by adults and others in childhood.

These statements can range from mild to moderate. A parent can tell us that we are "Way to loud" and that we "talk to much". An educator may tell us that we are not adept at a particular subject or ridicule us cruelly in front of our classmates.

Then too, a parent who wishes to see a child have a more productive life than they did may push us to achieve in a way that makes us feel overburdened.

Over time, our perceptions of these statements and actions- can influence the internal dialogue we have with ourselves in negative ways.

In my own experience, much of what I heard in childhood had negative connotations. And much of it was not so much directed at me but rather a direct result of the system of belief that was predominate in my home and communal environment.

It was not uncommon for me to hear statements such as "Life is a struggle"; "think the worst and hope for the best"; "You know life is a hustle" or my personal favorite, "It's going to take luck to get through this life."

When we are children, especially in environments where our own voices mean little, it is easy to develop negative and self limiting dialogue.

Negative self communication can impede our growth in all areas of our lives and make It difficult for us to achieve our dreams and attain our goals.

Fortunately for those of us who are willing to do the work to improve our thought process, there are hosts of positive thinking "gurus" who have written on the subject.

I was ecstatic to find Writer's like Shakti Gawain (Living in the light), Thomas Moore (Care for the Soul) and a host of other positively motivating and inspiring teachers.

The writings of these powerful teachers , became the fodder for a new foundation of thinking and being. However, old programs are often a challenge to dispel, and it would take me several years before these teachings became a part of my everyday life.

Negative self talk:

My internal chatter went as follows:

"I can't do this. This is too hard." "I love this book. But I could never write like this. I'm not smart enough." "Math is so hard. I'm not ever going to be able to do it. I'm a girl and girls can't do math." "I hope I can make them like me. It's going to be hard though. I'm not very pretty."

On and on went the negative statements inside of my mind. I felt helpless, hopeless, and powerless.

After I took the challenge to transform

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