Holding contradictory beliefs leads to disharmony and deception.
Please reflect and share. How does this play out in your life?
We all encounter moral dilemmas. We may feel we need or deserve something, but not be willing to observe the societal norms around our goal. Or me may long for intimacy with another and yet not feel safe sharing our true selves with them. Ethical issues and the potential for dishonesty—even if by omission—arise when our beliefs collide in this way.
We may fool ourselves into thinking this type of conflict is okay, justifying our lack of integrity. But the result of allowing such discordant beliefs to persist is disharmony within ourselves and in our interactions with others. No real or lasting happiness can ensue.
Today’s message advises me that when I encounter a conflict of beliefs, I am in some way deluded. One or both of my contradictory beliefs is likely to be mistaken. When I give myself time to reflect, I will find a different way to perceive the situation, one that allows me to proceed with integrity and to honor my own needs and others’. I alone am responsible for the results and resolution of my conflicting beliefs.
How about you? How do you handle discordant beliefs?