One of the hardest thing for me is over thinking.  Specifically , It is hard to navigate because when I really sit with it, there is a belief I have that is tied to that thought.

 

We conduct and live our lives out of what we believe about ourselves.

Beliefs are wired into us from birth. Our brains process events, and those events shape our belief system, and unless challenged, belief systems are hard to break.

Lets walk this out a bit:

You believe your car is going to get you to work . Why? Because it has proven to you that it will in the past.

You do or don’t believe in a God. Why? Because you either have or have not had experiences that support your belief on religion and spirituality.

None of these beliefs are transferable to anyone else. Why? Because each of our experiences and beliefs about the world and ourselves are uniquely shaped by our perspective and worldviews.

Now, until you are an adult, your belief system is largely shaped by the family you are around. So you may share some of the same beliefs. However, there may be a time where you begin to form your own worldview and belief system based on life experiences that you encounter down the road.

In all of this there is a choice. No matter what your life has looked like, you always have a choice to begin to believe differently, or make changes to become the person you wish to become.

 

One of the more difficult things for me is the idea that opinions do not matter. Mine doesn’t and neither do those around me.

When I heard (and even now , while I was writing that) there is this little twinge in me that is like”That is total crap.” But I get it. Why is it difficult?

Because for the longest time, I based my worth on people’s approval and opinions of me. 

I have had to change that belief because holding that belief had me pretty tied up and in a lot of suffering. I never really felt like I could be myself, and I also didn’t know who that was, because my Identity was wrapped up in the belief that, If I could please everyone, and everyone had a positive opinion of me, then I would be happy.

I still catch myself sometimes living from that belief system. So what do I do when I notice it?

The coolest thing that I have learned in my whole 29 years (well one of them) is that I do not have to do anything.

The people who truly love and value me will love me no matter what.

I do not get to be a jerk, but I do get to be  human. And I do not have to do or be anything other than what my experience is each moment. 

 

So what does that look like practically?

Let me ask you this;

What beliefs about the world or yourself do you question?

What beliefs about the world or yourself would you like to believe differently about?

Are you willing to sit with and explore other possibilities?

 

Most of all, are YOU accepting yourself right now? In this moment? Just as it is?

If not, what would it look like if you were able too?

 

I’ll leave you with this. As long as you are looking outside yourself, to other people to find your value, worth and acceptance, you will suffer. There is another option though, you have to be open to it.

 

Be encouraged,

 

Rachael