Blog 59 – 6.26.15

This is a subject that many people are afraid to bring up, beliefs being such a touchy subject. But a part of my view askew way of looking at things is to rush right on in where angels fear to tread. I hope you will agree that what follows is at least an interesting twist on faith and the importance of choosing our beliefs consciously and discarding any beliefs that are no longer serving us.

I have previously mentioned that the phrase “discarding any belief that is no longer serving me” comes from The Second Intent – Seeking Truth, from the Ten Intentions For A Better World. I recommend you take a look a the whole list and see if that is some thinking you might what to make your own. Just type in Ten Intentions For A Better World on your computer search engine and you will find the whole list.

Many Christians and others raised with what I consider rigid or dogmatic belief structures have a problem with discarding beliefs but I hope even they will hear me out to the conclusion of this piece. It is not my role to tell anyone what to believe. I only lovingly suggest that you question your beliefs from time to time to see if they are still serving you.

There is a big fancy word “paradigm” and one of its meanings is a strongly held belief that is very difficult to let go of or change. These are the absolutes or unchangeables in our lives. Reminds me of an old joke in philosophy class: “There are no absolutes, therefore that statement is false.” I think we would all agree there are some absolutes but as to what belongs on that list I am sure there would be long and heated discussions.

I try to hold my beliefs and opinions lightly. Having had to back up and turn around figuratively and literally many times in my life. I don’t find that quite the problem it once was. One of my favorite sayings these days is:”You can be happy or you can be right.” I choose happy. Heaven knows I have spent way too much time arguing and opposing other’s opinions, ideas, and beliefs. And why? People have a right to think what they will. And frankly I do not have all the answers. Far from it,  I am still working on a lot of the questions.

Yet to the question of faith or belief I think I see something I can share as an encouraging word. It is written that in some of the towns Jesus visited that he could only heal a few folks and not do many miracles because of their lack of faith. What is a lack of faith but a self limiting belief in something else. To name a few:

• I am not pretty or handsome
• I am not loved or lovable
• I am not smart
• I am not good at (fill in the blank)
• Others can but I can’t
• I am afraid of (fill in the blank)

Who taught you these self limiting beliefs. Most of these were learned by the age of three so they were probably passed on by parents, friends, or other family members. But don’t be too hard on them for they were taught these things at an early age also and believed them to be true. And they are true in your life if you believe them. Jesus said to one man and to all of us, “Be it unto you even according to your faith.” What you believe is your truth hence our unwillingness to let it go easily.

We live small, stunted, fearful and very limited lives because of beliefs we should have out grown years ago. Do you believe in Lady Lucky, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or even that God is going to do it all for you? Well, I believe you can take God at His Word: “Ask whatsoever you will believing you shall receive it.” But, and this is one of those blessed buts, you have to do some things for yourself and one of those is choosing what you will or will not believe.

Check out the Steven Spielberg’s recent movie Little Boy about a little boy who literally believed the verse, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you could move mountains.” The movie should be out on DVD soon and is I think both entertaining and thought provoking.

Look over the list above again but by all means don’t say them out loud because that three year old inside of you still believes everything you say. If any of those things seem real in your life don’t you think you could consider letting go some if not all of those self limiting beliefs that are no longer serving you? And replace each of them with a positive affirmation or belief. You won’t need Santa Claus, Lady Lucky, the Tooth Fairy or even God for this. These are gifts you can give yourself. “Only believe, only believe. All things are possible. Only Believe.”

Your fellow traveler and sometimes loving butt-in-ski,
David White