I am participating in the Oprah and Deepak 21 day meditation. The theme is, “Become What You Believe”.
This morning, Deepak posed an interesting idea. Our beliefs, he suggests, give us identity.
The example he uses is how if we look at the world through eyes of “I’ll believe it when I see it”, we don’t see a lot of things to believe in.
What if we flip it, he asks. “I’ll see it when I believe it” opens up limitless possibilities. We are always looking to see what we believe in.
In The Passion Test, one of the core ideas is, “What you put your attention on becomes stronger in your life.”
If I walk through life not believing in anything, or believing people are out to get me or I can’t do anything right, that is what I will see on my path.
Imagine we can flip those beliefs. Imagine what could happen.
Rather than looking for wrong, looking to be hurt, looking to make mistakes, we see the possibility in all things. We start to see the world through eyes of abundance versus scarcity, possibility versus impossibility, opportunity versus dead-end streets, hope instead of fear.
“Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Who and how I am is constructed on what I believe to be true about me and the world around me. If I choose to believe I am less than, a loser, stupid, or any other negative belief I may hold onto to keep me playing small, I am choosing to believe in the lesser part of me, not the greatness, not my inherent magnificence, not the beauty and miracle of who I am. I have the capacity to let go of negative beliefs, but first, I must see it, acknowledge it and accept it does not work for me anymore.
If I don’t like some way that I am in the world, I have the power to re-frame my belief in my capacity to change, to shift, to re-direct myself.
It takes work. But, if I tell myself I’m lazy, I won’t believe I am capable of doing the work.
It is a delicate dance of balancing my belief in me against long held unbeliefs and fears about the goodness and greatness of humanity and the world we live in.
I believe people are inherently kind, caring, thoughtful and loving. I believe people want to get along. They want to live in a world of wonder and awe.
When I act as if people are out to get me, undermine me, cheat me or hurt me, I am not acting from my belief in the goodness of humankind. I am acting from my fear of being human.
Imagine if we could change our beliefs. Imagine if we could create a world where all people are treated with loving kindness.
Imagine.
Now, let’s make it so. Let’s believe we can and act out on our belief that we are capable of loving one another with all our hearts. That we are capable of resolving the war and famine and lack of drinking water and inequalities in our world. That we are capable of making a difference. We are.
Dare Boldly 
I am undergoing a spiritual and personal transformation and this was the first post that popped up when I logged on my word – press, just what I needed to lift me for the day. Thank you!
LikeLike
What a lovely comment to read when I logged on this morning Jamie! Thank you for lifting my day too!
LikeLike
I completely forgot that this was beginning! I’ve got to catch up! 🙂 What beautiful reflections on the day’s meditation experience . I can see first hand in my wife how what we believe about ourselves truly affects our behaviors. I pray that, at some point, we all find that inner light that shines forth how beautiful and wonderful we really are. Hugs and love. xo
LikeLike
I so understand what you’re saying about how our beliefs affect our behaviours, Liz. As you know, my daughter struggles with the same disease — it can block all light from shining forth and in. Hugs and love to you both. ❤
LikeLike
Bang on Louise. I think of this daily as I work to develop my coaching practice. If I believe it will happen it will … or vice versa.
I quoted Henry Ford the other day in my blog but it bears repeating: “If you believe you can, or you believe you can’t – either way you’re right.”
LikeLike
I love that quote Ian — it is so true! Hugs
LikeLike
Louise I did the 21 day meditations and found everything Deepak said has great value. This one in particular is a wonderful exercise to use every day. Flip your beliefs and empower yourself. I have had a house full of sick people a nasty virus is going around, my daughter is the last not to get it in my beliefs I’m waiting for her to get it. So today Im going to flip that belief and think how wonderful that she did not get it. Thank you I needed this today.
LikeLike
I love how you flipped your belief Kath. I’m loving this medication challenge — it most definitely awakens me in love every morning. Hugs (I am holding your belief in how wonderful it is your daughter did not get it in the light.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
And she is a week gone now and did not get the virus Louise.
LikeLike
I needed this today, Louise. Thank you for your insightful words. Some days it seems the ‘critter’ is really battling to keep its strangle hold. Wish it was super easy to triumph over negative chatter. Press on. ☺
LikeLike
Yup. that critter loves to play havoc with our peace of mind Bev. Press on indeed dear friend. This too shall pass. Hugs.
LikeLike
I am a big believer in manifestation and what we think today becomes our reality – and as of a few seconds ago, now I’m doing the meditation challenge – I wasn’t aware of it, so I’m glad you mentioned it!!
LikeLike
Yeah! I love that you clicked into the meditation and are doing it with me Kate! How empowering. Thanks for sharing your energy in the circle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I work on these core beliefs daily with the study of LOA. I believe I am a confident worthy woman 🙂
LikeLike
Now that is powerful Kymn — and yes you are! A confident worthy woman. So beautiful to see you living your truth. ❤
LikeLike
Beautifully said Louise.
If only … 💛
LikeLike
Ah yes. If only… Val. Hugs ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person