“The point of power is always in the present moment.” Louise Hay
Let’s cast a tiny spotlight on the subject of limiting beliefs.
This is in the hope of helping anyone who may not even be aware that they exist…nor that they themselves may be being held back by them. (Yes. We’re looking at you in the back row!).
Seriously. Far too many of us are affected by this all too common mental affliction without even knowing. So, (you may well be asking);
“What on earth are limiting beliefs?”
Well, just as pervasive weeds prevent a plant from achieving its full growth, beauty and potential to flourish – so too, sadly, do the limiting beliefs of most human beings. That’s you and I – and just about everyone else we know.
A limiting belief is essentially any embedded, recurrent thought process that consistently holds you back in life. Sarah Virag.
These are the ingrained thoughts that make us feel a little (or a lot) unhappy, unfulfilled, worthless, not good enough, angry…and much more besides. We usually operate without any idea that these deep seated beliefs are driving us to do things, say things, behave in ways that don’t always sit very comfortably with us. Nor make us feel great.
Limiting beliefs can be the result of negative childhood admonishments, or even misguided adult interventions into our young and developing minds. They can, equally, be entirely of our own creation at any given time in life’s journey.
Worst of all? They often saddle us for an entire lifetime.
Therefore, recognising the discontent and powerful mental blocks caused by such beliefs, is one of the most fundamental ways to improving your life. On every conceivable level.
It’s only a thought, and a thought can be changed.
Here are a few examples of limiting beliefs made verbal – and encountered by Life Coaches everywhere;
“My sister was always the favourite in our family. I could never do anything as well as her; never make my parents as proud of me as she did.”
(…cue limiting beliefs of low self esteem and envy of others).
“There’s no way I could ever do that! I’m much too old / fat / shy / clumsy / ugly…”
(…cue limiting beliefs of lack of self confidence and self worth).
“My parents always said I should be a teacher, so I guess that was my destiny – even though I’m not a very good one.”
(…cue limiting beliefs of regret, restrictive thinking enforced by others, and low morale).
Why not crash down those barriers?
The good news is that once you’re aware of these mental blocks, psychological barriers – whatever you prefer to call them – you have the absolute power to knock them off their thrones!
Absolutely.
- Your thoughts, your beliefs, and the words and actions that result from them are all in your control. Who else’s?
- Whoever said that something you believed as a child – or even five minutes ago for that matter – cannot be challenged? Changed? Upended?
- There is NO rule book about what goes on in your mind. None!
- You are the Creative Director of your own mind. The Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman. The Boss.
Let’s be frank here. You are in charge!
Limiting beliefs about what we can or cannot, should or should not do, create so many of the problems of our human existence.
Yet when you make a conscious decision – and effort – to free yourself from yesterday’s misguided beliefs (whatever they may be), you release a whole lot of restrictive, energy sapping drama from your life.
PHEW.
I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky.
Instead, say good riddance to recurrent, harmful thoughts that;
Drain your self worth
Remind you of earlier disappointments
Make you feel bad or ashamed of your appearance / capabilities / relationship status / employment progress / weight / parenting ability…
I’m not suggesting here what you could replace those thoughts with. That is part of a very personal journey (too complex for one post).
However, what I can tell you is this. Once you are fully tuned into your own mental frequency. Once you sense yourself focussing on the wrong things. Once you gain the awareness that morose, negative, angry thoughts are fuelling parts of your reality and all your relationships (including the most important one with yourself) in a negative and harmful way…
Then! My friend – you will experience a little bit of something truly magical.
Because when you tune into your thoughts. When you realise that you have the absolute power to change them – that you are not the puppet but the puppet master – then that is a fantastic, breakthrough feeling indeed!
…and you can do it at any given moment of your life!
Let’s just relish the following collective thought for a moment;
YOU control your brain,
– your thoughts,
– your words,
– your actions,
– your life,
– your contribution to the Universe.
What a simple, yet powerful shield to carry yourself through life?
My call to action to you this week is this: the next time you find yourself clogging up your grey matter with repetitive old thought patterns that are doing neither you nor those around you any good at all, take a moment to reflect.
Remember that only you are putting these thoughts into your head and giving them credence. When you take control of your thoughts and fill your head with encouraging self talk, positivity and upbeat encouragement from a self-loving place, then all that redundant stuff should start to fall into the recesses. Where it categorically belongs.
Good luck with a fresh start on some ‘mental’ house-keeping!
Ps How do you put the brakes on trains of thought that are taking you no where? Are you aware of them?
…and if you’d like to read more on the subject, take a look at a wonderful book entitled You Can Heal Your Life (Louise Hay), or dig into my previous post on How To Boost Your Confidence and Self Esteem.
Originally published at www.sarah-virag.com