We identify with our cherished beliefs – we may not like to admit it but – the world we see creates our point of view.
Moment by moment you’re constantly seeing and taking in proof and validation that your world view is the correct (or you’ll fill in what you want to see) way of looking.
What we see depends mainly on what we look for. ― John Lubbock
But I’m open-minded!
I say that too, until someone or something comes along and challenges my truths on how I see the world, then I can/may/possibly catch myself defending my beliefs – especially when they don’t agree with me and my script of how things should be.
“I mean, how can what they are saying be true? It just can’t be, not when I know what I am saying is the truth. We both can’t be correct. I have it all figured out, so they must be the ones in the wrong, right? They must have it screwed up. I don’t need to change my belief, they do.”
This way of thinking doesn’t half close us down to the endless possibilities and opportunities surrounding us, plus ideas, suggestions and other ways of looking at and living life.
As soon as you identify who you think you are with a belief you will search (and always find) all the evidence you need to confirm that what you believe is true. You won’t see another way because you don’t think you need to see it (until you decide to change the belief).
Live Life In the Questions
One of the ways to identify if a belief is really true for you is to live your life in the questions.
What questions?
You could try:
- Am I seeing this correctly?
- Is there another way to look at this?
- What ways can I think differently about this right now?
- What would it take to see this another way?
- Am I giving this the correct meaning?
There’s five for starters.
And then?
Don’t go seeking for an answer. The habit many of us have is asking a question (especially when we are stuck) and then go on searching through our current belief system for an answer, you are going to come up with the one you started with. You can’t help it because you haven’t created a new belief yet, or another way to look at the world.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. – Albert Einstein
You are the leader in charge. If the world you are seeing (living) is not what you want to look at (experience) you could try living in the questions until you start to collate other evidence that your current belief system isn’t 100% accurate.
“This always happens to me!”
Try: Am I seeing that correctly? Ask: Always? Does this always happen to me?
My life is just a mess!
Try: What would it take for me to see this another way?
I’ll never find the career of my dreams!
Try: What would it take for me to see the career of my dreams?
I’ll never make it!
Try: What ways can I think differently right now?
I will never have the courage or confidence to do that!
Try: Is there another way of looking at this?
Play with it. Practice. Have meaningful conversations with yourself. You may stumble upon a great insight and discovery.
Sue says
Dawn I am so grateful, you appear just when you are meant to. I find this encouraging and supportive.
Dawn says
Hey you! So, I’m a fairy, yes? Excellent! Hope you are well. xxx