The Power of Changing Beliefs

Look at your experience, and you will know what you believe about yourself and life.

Obviously, I’m not talking about conscious beliefs like evolution, the platform of the Republican Party, or who killed JFK. I am talking about unconscious beliefs that determine almost everything we are permitted or required to experience.

These beliefs may be unconscious, but it turns out they are fairly easy to uncover. How?

Think of the woman who is successful in business. Money has always come easily to her. She’s had three start-ups, and each one has sold for several million dollars. Right now she’s on her fourth scuba diving trip to Bali, and thinking about her next venture.

What does she believe? I can’t say anything about her political party or stand on global warming, but we can say quite firmly that she believes that…

• it is okay for her to have money
• if she brings effort to her endeavors, there will be a reward
• there’s more than enough money for her to have some, too

Then, how about the guy who has struggled his whole life in part-time jobs, never quite finishing that novel or completing that degree or getting the job with benefits that would make stability possible? He’s always lived hand to mouth, has occasionally gone on food stamps to get by, and still hasn’t paid his brother back that $5000 loan he got to move to Austin where there were better job opportunities.

What does he believe? He may believe that…

• there isn’t enough money to go around
• he’ll always come in last when success is passed around
• success isn’t something that is under his control

And there are two other beliefs that these two people are probably living with, day after day, totally unconsciously:

• She believes that success and money are safe.
• He believes that lack of success and having little money are safe.

Look at your experience, and you will know what you believe about yourself and life.

Block Island Sky by Leslie Nipps