Our beliefs color our experiences.
Two couples are walking in Central Park at night. One couple believes that walking in the park at night is dangerous. The other couple believes that walking in the park at night is romantic. Suddenly the wind blows, rustling the foliage and sending dry leaves scudding across the sidewalk. One couple experiences fear. The other experiences the beauty of nature. Their beliefs have framed their experiences.
We get our beliefs from our parents, friends, religion, school, and our own experiences. Some beliefs are overt and conscious, such as, ” I believe in the equal rights for all men and women.”, and others are hidden beliefs for which we may not be fully conscious. Whatever the case, overt or covert, it is important to examine them and decide whether they are aligned with our values and life’s purpose. Are they beliefs that once were useful; but no longer serve us?
Yes, we can choose our beliefs.
In my own life, as I look at my purpose and my gifts, I realize that some long held beliefs about myself have been operating under the surface for years, beliefs that have limited my growth.
I love to write. I believe that I have a gift in that domain. Unfortunately, I have had some beliefs about myself that have not been supportive of my writing goals. For instance, I believed that I was not good enough and therefore didn’t write anything for years. I believed that I had little to say. It had all been said before and much more effectively than anything I could do. If I wrote what I really thought people would laugh at my earnestness, my spiritual bent, and my shortcomings.
None of these beliefs were supporting my development. Where did they come from? I have stories about that; but does it really matter?
The important thing is that I have surfaced the beliefs that were lodged within me and I have decided to adopt a new set of beliefs that are more supportive of my life’s purpose.
I believe that it doesn’t matter if there are better writers in the world. When I am called to write, I write.
It doesn’t matter if what I write is earnest, spiritual, or reveals my shortcomings.
It is all a reflection of me…
..and I am a reflection of the perfection that dwells within me.
pete
