How would you answer the question,
“What do you believe?”
…if you were fortunate enough to sit across from OPRAH in the interview chair during her upcoming Belief Series?
Oprah Winfrey Presents ‘Belief’ on October 18 at 8 p.m
I am definitely tuning in to the “Belief” master class on Super Soul Sunday this weekend and the 7-day series to see what I can learn to strengthen my understanding of the power of my core beliefs. My future may depend on it!
As a practitioner, I often find myself in the midst of a dialogue that has breakthrough potential saying: It depends on what you believe. The “it” here refers to everything and anything you are considering, debating, seeking to resolve, choose or act upon. I am clear that our beliefs determine our actions and behaviors. I suggest that taking inventory of all our beliefs is a worthwhile endeavor which I rate as essential to our full spiritual growth.
In Chapter 10 of my book, Yesterday When I Was Crazy: A Sacred Contract with Healing, I write:
“I was quite surprised to learn what some of the self-sabotaging beliefs were that held me in bondage to my careless thoughts. I was also intrigued by what I believed that was just a lie I was telling myself.
My shadow side was full of negative self-fulfilling prophecies held in my wounds… It was very useful to reconsider my acquired values, cultural perspectives, community conditioning and institutional training.”
In 2011, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, my belief system was frustrated and drastically tested by institutions I believed were “here to help me”. I penned the poem, A Matter of Belief, which tells this story with passion. Verse one sets the tone:
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A matter of belief
No ordinary thief.
Brings overwhelming grief
For which there is no relief.
A statutory beef
With that which my soul keeps.
So I gnash my teeth,
Moan and groan in my sleep
And look for answers deep
That belie the evil that seeps
Into my heart and bleeps
All the joy and dignity beneath.
So now my spirit weeps,
While overseers reap
In quantums and heaps.
I, in panic, seek
To not become weak.
Because I trusted the thief . . .
Who had a different belief.
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So, yes, I say, join in with OPRAH and her guests and examine your beliefs. There may be a few “self-limiting beliefs” you are not aware of that are holding you back from your dreams. What imprints are there? How do they impact your daily choices and your forward progress? You might discover a “healing place” waiting to transform your life.
Click on Paula’s Blog on my website, paulapotts.com, read a few excerpts from my book and share your comments. By the way, the poem concludes: Only ONE holds the peace . . . That knows no grief. It truly is . . . A matter of belief.