I will start this by letting you know of the best definition of beliefs I’ve come across. Beliefs are simply sentences we keep telling ourselves, and we believe as true. That’s it! So simple and so powerful, I nearly dropped my baby…figuratively speaking of course! 😆
For my entire life, I believed my beliefs were something I was born with, instilled with. Almost like they were part of my DNA. It wasn’t until not too long ago, I heard this definition, and it made me question everything.
Imagine all those beliefs that you’ve carried onto adulthood. Maybe they were passed on to you from a parent, relative, or authority figure in your life. They were most likely the beliefs or point of views from the person teaching you. They may have had the best intention when teaching you this certain belief. Maybe they were trying to prevent you from making the same mistake(s) they’d made before their belief was decided.
An example of a belief I had growing up was, my worth would be determined by me getting married and starting a family. Now, to be clear, this wasn’t said to me flat out. This was simply my interpretation from gathering different ideas my parents would talk to me about. And I believed it. I believed that by getting married and starting a family,my parents and family would think that I was a “good girl” doing the “right thing.” This was something I thought was expected of me. Inside I felt that my validity would come once I’d reached these milestones.
There are many examples of how we grow up interpreting something totally different than what the intention behind it was. It may have the most genuine intention behind it.
Many of these beliefs are ingrained in us so deeply, we can’t separate from them. We adapt them as our own without ever questioning them. This may not always be something we want to continue believing as truth.
If you are anything like me, some may have not served you, but may have hindered your growth. Maybe you’re a timid woman who is afraid to ask questions. If you were raised to believe girls should be seen and not heard, now you’ve grown up and this fear of questioning was your interpretation.
I am not suggesting that all the beliefs we picked up are not serving us. But what I am suggesting is for you to question some of the beliefs that may not be working for you. Approach it with curiosity. “Hmmm, I wonder why I believe….”
How are your current beliefs helping you evolve to that next version of yourself? I’d love for you to tell me!
