Element I
Beliefs
________________________________
“If you don’t have solid beliefs you cannot build a stable life. Beliefs are like the foundation of a building, and they are the foundation to build your life upon.”
~ Alfred A. Monatpert
________________________________
Chapter 1 I’ll See It When I Believe It
“I understand that what I believe to be absolutely true becomes true because I believe it.” ~ Patrick J. Ryan
Our beliefs are so powerful that as we become aware of or change what we believe, what we see begins to align with it. Since so many of our beliefs are unconscious and habitual, our challenge is to create awareness of what motivates our behaviors. The things that consistently show up in our lives that we seemingly do not want usually have an unconscious belief.
There once was a wise sage who lived along the path at the edge of a village. One day a traveler was on his way to the village and stopped to visit the sage. “I have never been to this village. Can you tell me about the people here?” asked the traveler. The sage said, “Sure, but first tell me about the people in the village you came from.” “Oh, they are terrible, rude, unfriendly, and cannot be trusted. That is why I left.” The sage said, “Well, I have bad news for you. The people here are exactly the same.” Later that day, another traveler was heading to the village and stopped to visit the sage. “I have never been to this village. Can you please tell me about the people here?” asked the traveler The sage said, “Sure, but first tell me about the people in the village you came from.” “Oh, they are wonderful, kind, loving, and generous,” replied the traveler. The sage said, “Well, I have good news for you, the people here are exactly the same.”
So, assuming that the first traveler consciously truly did want to be happy and connected to cool people, his unconscious beliefs kept him from achieving it. He could go from village to village and always find the same thing. In just the same way, people can go from job to job, or relationship to relationship, and keep finding the same things. The world is full of our mirrors, reflecting back to us what we are giving.
We create our environment through our beliefs. If you want to know about your past, look at what is happening in your present. If you want to know about your future, look at what you are doing in the present. What messages have you been unconsciously sending? What beliefs are behind those messages?
________________________________
Until we believe in ourselves, we undermine everyone else’s belief in us. It is our responsibility to set the foundation of our own life.
________________________________
Our mind does not know whether our beliefs are “real” or not, so our body reacts physically to our beliefs. As a child we believed many things that felt very real to us, we could‟ve “sworn” by them; beliefs such as Santa Claus or that our teachers live at school. As we get older our beliefs change as we collect evidence that tells us differently.
What we believe effects how we behave. Let go of self-limiting beliefs and, like the second traveler, tell the story of ease and delight. So, believe that you can change every aspect of your life to create more Radiance. Believe that you are fabulous and Radiant and everything around your will mirror it!
Discovery Question: What positive beliefs about myself serve me well? Why?
Activity: Sit comfortably and take some long, deep breaths. Get in touch with your body and become aware of your energy. Then ask yourself: How Radiant am I? Where could I cultivate my beliefs?
Gratitude: Appreciate the people who have taught you the most about believing in yourself.
Mantra: I see the world as Radiant.