Our Spirits

I believe our spirits are beautiful, powerful and magnificent.  We were made in the image of God.

I don't remember who said this, but I once heard this description.  We were born who we were meant to be and spend our childhood picking up the thoughts and beliefs from others around us. Then we spend our adult lives trying to release those thoughts and beliefs to become who we were meant to be.  I agree with this.  When I witness clients release thoughts, feelings, beliefs that they either picked up from others, from negative life experiences or that are no longer useful for the person, they physically relax and feel more comfortable in themselves.

Our spirits are like a beautiful sunny day.  As we pick up negative thoughts and beliefs and life experiences, it's like adding clouds to the sky.  Some clouds resemble mild nagging.  They are light and fluffy and don't affect us much.  There are others that are like huge storm clouds which can really hurt us and obscure our sunlight.  Phrases such as "you are a loser and will amount to nothing," child abuse and other traumatic experiences can cause us to exist in such a dark state because our light is continually hidden by the gathering clouds.  If we can release those clouds from our bodies, our spirits can shine and we can be happy and vibrant again.

Action

When we can connect with what we truly believe about ourselves, we can see what we have picked up from others.  It doesn't matter what others think of us or expect from us.  Our lives are our own.  Their lives are their own.  We are only responsible for our own happiness.  We cannot make others happy, no matter how hard we try.

Just acknowledging misappropriated beliefs can help release them.  Writing in a journal or on paper you can shred can also help to release unwanted beliefs.  If things seem too hard to sort out on your own, see a counselor.  Life can be stressful and being able to speak to an objective professional can often help us identify learned versus genuine beliefs.  Even just the act of voicing them can bring clarity amid confusion.

Take a moment to actually visualize the ominous clouds floating away.  Acknowledge that they are not of your making and you needn't carry them with you any longer.  Taking the time to listen to what beliefs resonate within you as true and genuine is immensely beneficial to your everyday well-being.

You are worth it.