Cassie Bustamante

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The Power of Affirmations: My Testimony (And Maternity Photos!)

April 11, 2018 by Cassie 28 Comments

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When I used to think of affirmations, I would picture Jack Handy saying, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”  I thought they were intended solely for helping ourselves think positively, and to make us believe in ourselves.  Last summer I listened to a podcast which changed that belief for me and, if you ask me, changed my life entirely.  It also taught me that affirmations are more than just giving yourself a pep talk; they possibly have the power to help you achieve your goals, even if those goals seem to be something you don’t have control over.  Today I am going to share with you the power of affirmations: my testimony, and I’ll be sprinkling in some of my maternity photos taken by the talented Eddie at Jalapeno Photography  just so you have something to look at. And actually, my pregnancy is what my own testimony is all about anyhow.

Maternity photos by Jalapeno Photography

By last July I had already suffered three pregnancy losses and while I was feeling sad about it all, I was hopeful, had met with a specialist and decided to try one more time.  During that month, my kids were at a local vacation bible school.  Sawyer was a helper, and Emmy was in the oldest group of kids there.  The church was midway between our house and the C&O canal (ironically where these photos were taken.).  In the morning I’d pack up the kids, get my bike in the car, drop them off and then head off the canal to ride for a couple hours while they were at VBS.  I would take my phone with me and play some of my favorite podcasts while I rode, without headphones so that I was safe and could hear all other sounds as well.  I’ve mentioned here before that Tim Ferriss hosts one of my absolute favorite podcasts as he really digs deep into the hearts and minds of some of the world’s most incredible people.  It’s officially a “business” podcast, but I find the guests inspiring in so many walks of life, not just entrepreneurial.  One episode last summer captivated me with its story.

Maternity Photos by Jalapeno Photography

The episode itself was actually a conglomeration of highlights from 4 previous guests, one of whom was Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert.  During his segment on the show, Adams told Ferriss an unbelievable story.  I am probably going to mess it up a bit in my paraphrasing but you can listen to the episode here.  Adams had taken a post graduate exam and done OK enough and was satisfied with his low 80 mark.  At the time he was in a class with a woman who told him about affirmations: writing down goals on paper several times, and visualizing them as well.  He was a skeptic but had the chance to test it out.  A friend of his who had taken the same test and gotten in the 70s wanted to retake the test and asked Adams to retake it with him.  Adams looked at this as his chance to test the affirmations theory.  He agreed to take the test again, but decided not to review or study one bit.  Instead, he wrote down several times that he would get a 93, and he visualized the test results coming in the mail with a 93.  Test day came, and he felt he did similarly to the first time; however, when the results came in, Adams was shocked to see the test score of 93, just as he had visualized and written down.  Did he make it happen just by putting it out there in the universe?  I honestly don’t know, but I decided then and there that with the next pregnancy, I was going to test affirmations on myself.

Maternity Photos with Jalapeno Photography

On August 2 of last year, I found out I was pregnant again.  I pulled out my journal (I can’t find it at the moment because I was going to show you my affirmations!), and I quickly wrote about this baby that was so wanted and loved already and then I repeated several times, “I will hold my baby in April; I will hold my baby in April.”  I visualized the doctors handing me my newborn baby as I cried happy tears.  But it didn’t work.

maternity photography by Jalapeno Photography

Just a week later, I was bleeding and losing that pregnancy.  I felt foolish for even writing down, “I will hold my baby in April.”  How on earth did I actually think that would work??  I  had been desperate, and I now felt stupid and silly.  I pushed that journal aside because I didn’t want to look at it.  I didn’t tell anyone about it, not even Chris.  After that loss, I decided it was time to move on.  (You can read more about that here).  I had felt so stuck for a year, trying to make something happen that clearly wasn’t going to happen and it was time to take control of my life again, to get back to being me and doing the things I love.

However, you can make all the plans you want in the world, but some things truly are not in your hands.  A couple of weeks after that loss, the baby boy I am carrying now was conceived.  It wasn’t out of “trying”; it was just simply out of love and support for one another.  I was shocked to learn on September 1 that I was pregnant, and my due date by calculations would be mid-May.  Once we saw the doctor, a confirmed due date of May 12 was given to us.  Clearly this pregnancy has worked out for me, but there has been some medical intervention and you can read about that here.

Jalapeno Photography Prenatal Photos

I love the rainbow captured in this photo, representing our rainbow baby.

I am not one to go early with my pregnancies, so while I was obviously overjoyed, I still felt rather foolish for ever thinking I could make things happen just by writing them down.  I accepted that affirmations didn’t work, but by the grace of God, we had our miracle probably because I stopped asking for it.

A month ago, I was in for my monthly visit with the specialist and she casually mentioned to me, “You’ll be delivering at 38 weeks.  We need to get you off the blood thinners for 24 hours so that will give us time to do that.  When you see your regular OB/GYN go ahead and schedule an induction.”  My jaw dropped to the floor!  38 weeks would be at the end of April!!!!  I laughed and I told me doctor, “You’re probably going to think I am crazy, but let me tell you about my affirmations!”  She actually is a believer in that kind of thing and didn’t call the psych department on me.

Maternity Photography with Jalapeno Photography Families

As of now, we are scheduled to go into the hospital on April 26 and deliver on the 27th.  I am thrilled because I have a very good friend who is a labor & delivery nurse at the hospital I will be at, and she’ll be working both of those days.  It will be nice to see a friendly face!

I am still somewhat in shock that after all, my affirmation is coming true, and in fact, I will hold my baby in April.

Now to get the rest of my life goals in order and start writing them all down like a madwoman! ๐Ÿ˜‰ What do you think?  Do affirmations work?  Clearly, even if you are the most skeptical of the skeptics, it’s worth testing out.  Don’t you think?

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Comments

  1. Erika says

    April 11, 2018 at 6:40 am

    You know life is so interesting and a year ago I would have been like yep that’s weird. But nope. I totally believe they work. โค๏ธ And I also got chills when I read this. I’m so incredibly happy for you! You look amazing!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:29 pm

      Exactly how I felt. But I tried it when I had nothing left to lose, you know? I am a believer now! Thank you so much for your friendship and support over all these years, Erika. XOXO

      Reply
  2. Haley says

    April 11, 2018 at 7:56 am

    I love this story so much! These pictures are gorgeous!!! I just started hearing about affirmations this month from multiple different places, so I’m going to have to try it out. Can’t wait for you to hold your baby at the end of this month.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:28 pm

      I definitely think, from my own experience, it’s worth trying! What have you got to lose! And I can’t wait to hold him in just over a couple of weeks. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. erin says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:22 am

    so excited for you!!! and that rainbow!!! i wish you a safe delivery!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you so much, Erin! We just can’t wait to meet him!

      Reply
  4. Emy says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I just made the “I’m good enough….” joke the other day with my husband. And then I got real sad about Al Franken. Anyways, I’m so happy for you and I’m glad it came true for you. I need to write some down. Like “my kids will actually like my dinner today”. Maybe I’m asking for too much. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Ha! If it works on the dinner thing, let me know. We could use some dinner juju around here.

      Reply
  5. Revital Mitchell says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:13 am

    I am crying like a little baby reading this post…I have believed in affirmation and getting out of my own way for a few years now. I write down that everything always works out for me. I have a notebook filled with affirmation or as Abraham Hicks calls it ‘Book of positive aspects’. I go back sometime and read what I wrote years ago. I would write something as if it already happened, and leave it to God/Universe to take care of the rest…I am amazed at some of the things that actually came true. Sometimes, there are subjects that we have too much resistance to, so we have to focus on the easier things. for example: if you have 2 things that are going well and one that isn’t, if you focus on the the one that isn’t , the other two will become a problem as well. but if you focus on the good, the other will get fixed. Does that make sense? Your photos are stunning! You are beautiful, and deserve everything you want. Wishing you a continued happy and healthy pregnancy. Hugs!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      And your comment just made me cry in turn. ๐Ÿ˜‰ And what you said makes total sense… love it and appreciate you sharing. Thank you so much for your support!

      Reply
  6. Heather says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:27 am

    YES! They absolutely work. I’ve been doing them more in my life and they are amazing! You look beautiful, btw!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you so much, Heather! I will be doing them more for sure!

      Reply
  7. Eliesa says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:51 am

    I’m not much of a woo-woo believer, but I might just try this affirmation thing. ๐Ÿ™‚ No really, I’ve been trying so hard with so many aspects of my life, maybe what I need is to think of exactly how I picture my life with those things working out, instead of making all kinds of plans on how to fix it. It’s a huge mind shift. Might be exactly what I need.
    I, for one, can’t explain how happy this baby is making me, for you! The pictures are beautiful. Here’s to an easy delivery. xo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 11, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Right? I wasn’t sure how much I believed in it until a month ago! And thank you so much, Eliesa- we are so excited to meet him!!! Here’s hoping for an easy delivery. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  8. Jessica | Petal + Ply says

    April 11, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    He’s so close to here!! Praying everything goes smoothly and you have an easy recovery friend. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:43 am

      thank you!!!

      Reply
  9. Carol @ CAD Interiors says

    April 11, 2018 at 10:43 pm

    I read every single word of this! Your testimony was so captivating and heartwarming. So excited and happy for you. You are glowing in your maternity photos!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:32 am

      thank you so much, carol! i am just dumbfounded by it all and had to share!

      Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    April 12, 2018 at 6:50 am

    You look really beautiful! I have to try this affirmation thing too. Just have to.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:32 am

      thank you, julia! i need to do it again for sure! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Revital Mitchell says

    April 12, 2018 at 8:53 am

    To everyone who has doubts about having affirmations work…TEST IT! ask God/Universe to see something, I had my son test it. As I told him, ‘What do you have to lose?, I am not asking you to believe, buy something , or join a club….test it.’ so he did, the only guidance was, don’t ask for something that you have resistance to such as money, lover etc. something general for starter. He asked to see pink trucks! I that is because he didn’t think he’ll see any. I had my doubts….I have never see pink trucks so I said ‘come on….’ with in a 15 minute drive we saw thee (3) of them! Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either. Don’t take my word for it, test it! You will be surprised. I test it all the time. As Wayne Dyer said, ‘Believe it and you will see it’ . Isn’t it what faith is all about? You don’t have to believe in God to have faith in something. Gravity is something you don’t give much thought to, it still is a Universal law…OK, I am done. Cassie, please don’t kick me off you site…:)

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:31 am

      this is totally awesome!!!! i am not kicking you off. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
      • Revital Mitchell says

        April 17, 2018 at 10:28 am

        Thank you Cassie!

        Reply
    • Revital Mitchell says

      April 17, 2018 at 10:27 am

      I should always proof read what I wrote…it was supposed to say that we saw three of them…

      Reply
  12. Sarah says

    April 12, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    I wrote down my goals for this year (never have I made resolutions before), and the first thing I wrote was along the lines of “get a new job.” I interviewed for 5 different jobs over the past year or so and was in the middle of an interview process at that time, but was convinced I was just going to get my 6th no. Only a couple of weeks into January, I was handing in my two week notice! Now I should go back and look at my list and make sure I’m working on the other goals.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:31 am

      that is amazing!!!! congratulations! i hope you are loving the new job!

      Reply
  13. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    April 14, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    Cassie, these are the most beautiful maternity photos!!! You are absolutely stunning! And, you had best believe I am going to be doing affirmations now ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 17, 2018 at 8:31 am

      thank you so much, shelley! eddie is a miracle worker!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.ย  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.ย  We all get one chance at this life,ย and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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