We are so constituted that we believe the most incredible things; and, once they are engraved upon the memory, woe to him who would endeavor to erase them.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Do you ever take time to sit and deeply think about the beliefs you hold as true? It could be a belief related to your spiritual or religious views, political views, world views, cultural views, racial views, or any of the other legion of topics that occupy your life. Goethe was correct—it can be risky business to challenge someone to examine their beliefs. We need look no further than to Socrates, who was put to death because he was teaching young people to challenge authority, “think” for themselves, and derive their own beliefs from within.
The real question is, do we really believe what we say we believe?
As an example: with all the unrest in the world, and especially within our own political system, now is the perfect time to consider the source from which we drew the political ideals and values we might hold so dear. This is not at all to imply that what we believe isn’t the truth (for ourselves); it’s simply an invitation to consider how we came to accept it as our truth. Most of us inherited our beliefs and core values from our parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
Sometimes we don’t really know what we deeply believe until we take time to consciously explore those beliefs and see where they live within us.
One telltale sign of how deeply we are rooted in our beliefs (or not) can be found in our need to force them on other people. I respect those who are so on fire with their beliefs that they want to “share” them with the world—however, insisting that I should accept their beliefs as my own just because they passionately believe them is an entirely different thing. This is a perfect example of how, too often, we lethargically allow others to have free rent in our heads and we mindlessly take on their beliefs as our own because we have not invested the time and energy to consider what it is we really do believe.
Just because it is on television or the internet doesn’t mean it is true.
I wonder how many of us sit there and watch the ads on television for certain pharmaceutical products, political candidates, ballot issues, and so on, and just take it all in as gospel rather than personally researching the issues before we embrace it as truth. If that’s the case, with a little mindfulness, you can choose to release those old beliefs and entertain a new notion about what is true for you today. The most empowering thing is, you don’t have to get permission from others to do so. Surrendering the need to fit in is very liberating; it will set you free to be who you truly are.
Do you really believe what you say you believe? Just think about it and be open to following where it takes you . . . perhaps even to the portal of your next new and original thought. Goethe and Socrates would both be proud of you.
