Beliefs

What are beliefs?

A belief is an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. Something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion.

A belief is anything we preserve to be true.

Beliefs are not necessarily based on fact or truth. Sometimes they are based on fact or truth. What really drives our beliefs is our perception. Whether we belief something to be true. What we belief does not follow truth; it follows our perception of truth.

We live our life based on beliefs. Everything we do is determined by our beliefs. Each one of us has our own beliefs and therefore our lives are unique to us. They may resemble or sometimes mimic another, but they are still ours and unique to us.  

How do beliefs dictate our lives? In very simple terms, whatever we believe, we will always prove it to be true.

If I believe I cannot do something, I will prove it to do be true, and come up with excuses or even actions that will stop me from doing that thing. If I believe I can do something. I will prove it to be true, by doing whatever it takes to actually do it.

Whatever I believe I will always prove it to be true.

If I believe I am not deserving of happiness, I will always prove it to be true. So even when happiness does come my way I will do or say something to destroy it. And that is why it is so difficult for so many of us to find happiness. We believe that we do not deserve happiness and as a result, even when it comes, we destroy it.

The same is true for everything in our lives. Happiness, joy, love, confidence, self-esteem, healthy relationships, wealth, health, jobs, business, anything for that matter. When we are constantly not achieving something, we want, there is usually a belief behind it that is stopping it.

When things don’t work out, what we do instead is we blame something or someone else… The reality is that it is our beliefs we need to examine. And when we correct our belief, we find that all works out. Yes, it is that simple. The real challenge is that we don’t even look at or even consider that our beliefs need to be examined. And the number one reason that we do not even consider our beliefs is the belief that we cannot change our beliefs. Beliefs can be changed.

The biggest gift that we as human beings have, that no other creature has, is the power of choice. We can choose whatever we want. We can choose whether to belief something or not. We have that choice. When someone says that, you stupid, you have the choice to either accept their statement and belief that you stupid or reject that statement and belief otherwise. And whichever one you choose to belief you will always prove it to be true. We have the power of choice. Remember a belief is anything that we perceive to be true. So, if we want to change a belief, we need to change the perception. Who said that what we belief is true, what evidence is there to say that it is true. Am I really stupid or did I make a mistake or is it a case of not having the knowledge that someone else has. So, if I correct my mistake and gain the knowledge that I require, am I still stupid… Something to consider…

It does not really matter, where the belief came from or when it was learnt. What is important is that now that we know what the belief is we need to ask ourselves is it true? And we know whether it’s true or not, we don’t need anyone to tell us whether if it’s true or not. And once we understand and acknowledge that it is not true then we can change it, and change it with ease. We find all sorts of reasons or should I say excuses not to change our beliefs. And a big part of those reasons usually involves something or someone outside of us. If I change my belief how will that change how I am perceived by the people around me. My parents, my siblings, my family, my friends, my spouse, my kids, society, and list goes on… So, we don’t change because of other people and yet it is these other people that ridicule us either way, whether we change or not. And that triggers another belief that we hold on to… Rather the devil I know vs the possibilities that I have not yet experienced. The fear of change.

Beliefs will always be a part of our lives. We need to constantly and continuously assess our beliefs and make the necessary changes when required. It’s not about changing all our beliefs. We only need to change those beliefs that are not serving us. The only thing that is certain in life is change. We need to remain open to change. Being open to change means being open to changing our perceptions and perspectives. Our perceptions formulate our beliefs and in turn our beliefs drive our perceptions. It’s a constant cycle. We have a choice to make, to allow this cycle to continue or to change it. To change the cycle, we need to make the choice to assess and evaluate the beliefs that we are holding on to. The act of choice in itself starts changing the belief. How can it get better than this.