The real world doesn’t exist. It is your beliefs that make your reality. The real world has an infinite number of interpretations and it is your perception and interpretation of the world that will become reality for you. The same man can be a saviour for some and a demon for others. Yet, he is the same man (yes, we are probably thinking about the same person right now). How do you explain that? Beliefs make reality and your beliefs make your reality.
In Episode 7 of Beautiful Ghosts we discuss beliefs (YouTube or website). Where they come from, how they influence our lives, and how we can change them. Some beliefs can be empowering and some beliefs can be limiting. We want to be able to identify and change our limiting beliefs.
First, where do beliefs come from? Our beliefs come from our interaction with the world, especially with other people. When we are children, our beliefs come mostly from our family and our friends. Think about religion, religious beliefs are passed mostly from parents to children from generation to generation. If you are born in a family of a particular religion, high chances are you will follow those beliefs. Beliefs give us a sense of identity and belonging. Mariana grew up in a family where being an employee was seen as virtuous and she held those beliefs, I grew up in a family where being an employee was a failure and I held those beliefs. As we grow, a lot of people want us to believe many things, in particular the media wants to convince us that we don’t have it, that other people are better, that we need to buy their products to be worthy, and so on.
Those beliefs that we got from our families, friends, or the media have a powerful influence in our lives. In fact, they make our reality. Mariana never thought about becoming an entrepreneur and became a lawyer, Nico lived always with his guard up as he used to live in Argentina, even after moving to New Zealand. I could not enjoy being an employee. Our beliefs were limiting our potential to enjoy our situation or to achieve more. What limiting beliefs do you have? Perhaps you can achieve more than what you believe, perhaps you should be enjoying more than what you believe. Do you really need the last model gadget to enjoy life just because other people have it? Only if you believe it.
How can we change our beliefs? Especially those beliefs that limit our potential or our ability to enjoy more? Sometimes it is just about being able to consider the opposite belief rather than blindly follow or conform. A friend told Mariana that if she is an employee her whole life, she can never become rich. Boom! That changed her belief. After experiencing being an entrepreneur I was able to enjoy the benefits of being an employee. By allowing myself to enjoy I realised that it is more important for me to enjoy what I’m doing rather than whether I’m an entrepreneur or an employee. Nico realised that New Zealand is not Argentina, he could lower his guard, even if just a bit. We changed our beliefs. However, beliefs are not rational and rational argument are often not enough to change beliefs. Sometimes we need a crisis to question our beliefs. I used to think that men had to be uncompromising to be attractive to women; after being single for many years I had to change my belief. Some people are addicted to their beliefs and may never change them. How far do you think they can reach? Always keep your mind open to change your beliefs.
How about your beliefs? Are they empowering you? Are they limiting you? Your beliefs make your reality. Can you change them? Will you? Remember, that man, he is not a saviour and he is not a demon. He is whatever your beliefs make him to be. The question is, where do your beliefs come from?
Make an impact,
Pablo
Originally published in Beautiful Ghosts