PRISONER OF MY OWN BELIEFS

A belief is something that you hold true even when there is no proof or evidence. As a child I believed that ghosts were lurking in the dark paths and if you kept muttering “God, God, Bhagawan, Bhagwan” you would safely reach home. God was bilingual for me. Prayers at home was in Assamese and in English at school.

As I grew up, my belief was that all children had equal right to the badminton court and the table tennis board of the club. And I would actually fight for the rights, unlike my girl friends who believed that girls are not supposed to do such stuff.

Beliefs should not hold us back. Such beliefs are to be questioned and discarded. Explore your limiting beliefs. What holds you back?

Is it about self?  You feel that something is inherently wrong with you.

Is it about the world?  You feel that others are not allowing you to perform.

Is it about life?  You feel that things are too difficult.

Deep introspection will tell you that you stuck to the social conditioning of your childhood.

A young working adult opted for a PG accommodation instead of a rented house because the parents kept saying that she would not be able to manage on her own. And she accepted the belief that something is wrong with her.

I have heard many college teachers say that they are unable to attend conferences because their HoD or Principal does not grant them permission. This is the second belief that others are not allowing you to perform.

Then there are other college teachers who will not apply for the Principal’s position because it is not an easy job. Moreover, the fine work life balance they have managed to create will go for a toss. This is the third belief that things are too difficult.

Coming out of the beliefs that hold you back is not easy and it will cause a lot of discomfort. You will have to clear the cobwebs in your mind and recondition yourself. You may be able to do it on your own or seek assistance of a coach who will hold a mirror to your thoughts. Let us declutter our thoughts and make a breakthrough in our thoughts and create a set of new positive beliefs.