We tend to believe what we’re patterned to think.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. Our initial beliefs about ourselves and how life works form based on our upbringing and our childhood experiences. In our teen years, we begin to question and develop the skills needed for independent thinking. As adults, hopefully we expand our ability to evaluate and decide for ourselves.
Some of our beliefs are more surface level and less consequential and are easily changed—chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla. Others are more deeply entrenched and possibly even subconscious—I’m not good enough.
It’s the more firmly embedded beliefs that can potentially, and possibly unknowingly, cause us difficulties. For example, if we believe we’re not good enough, we’re more likely to fail and more apt to attract situations in which we aren’t appreciated.
On the more superficial level, even as adults we’re prone to believe things we hear or read repeatedly, especially if they’re consistent with our existing beliefs. Hence the power of social media and the internet to influence our thinking, and hence our current rigid political divide. We tend to consume stories that reinforce or build upon our current beliefs.
Today’s message urges me to view my own beliefs as mutable. Rather than simply continuing to apply and expand upon old programming, I’m best served by choosing to hold beliefs that help me be happy and functional. My evaluation criteria: Is it kind? Is it loving? Is it useful?
How about you? Do you ever question your own beliefs?