Sadly, we can create false beliefs in our mind that are not trauma related. As a child, we have a child-like mind and can process truths erroneously. It could take years before we realize those false beliefs we have held onto. Take a listen to this podcast to learn how I took an experience as a child and created a very distorted belief that I applied to most people.
Listen to this message as a Podcast!
“I’d Prefer to Read Your Message!”
Hello friends. Wishing you a Happy Hannukah and a Very Merry Christmas. Glad you are here to join me for this short Podcast. Let’s get started.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about the importance of renewing our mind. If you haven’t had a chance to read them or would like to review those writings, below in the show notes are the links for you to find them.
Today I want to talk about the need to renew our mind but not necessarily from trauma. I have spoken in the past about events or things that happen to us as a child that can affect how we think moving forward. Because our mind as a child is immature, we tend to process these events in a child-like fashion. It doesn’t have to be abuse or traumatic issues that can cause a distorted way of thinking.
Let me give you an example.
Years ago, when I was probably about 5 or 6 years old, I went out with my dad to run errands. Back in those days the cars were much different than they are today. We had bench seats in the front and not bucket seats AND we didn’t wear seat belts. Actually, most cars didn’t even have seat belts.
This one particular day I was in the back seat sitting on the edge of the seat resting on the back of the bench seat in front. We stopped at an intersection and in those days, there were police officers directing traffic. Well, we stopped and a few seconds later the police officer told my dad to take a left.
I thought how did he know my dad wanted to go left. Well, most children ask questions and that I did. “Daddy how did he know you wanted to turn that way?” His response, “I told him.” So, in my child like mind, I thought “Oh I guess I just didn’t see my dad point that way.” Then we got to the next intersection and my dad needed to take a left again, the officer points to my dad’s left and gives him the ok to go. Now I did watch my dad because I really wanted to not miss this and you know what. He didn’t do a thing with his hands to motion to the officer which direction he wanted to go.
What I Perhaps Should Have Done
Instead of asking more questions or even saying, “Daddy, I didn’t see you tell him. How did he know?” I came up with my own conclusions. Sadly, they were not good conclusions.
- People withhold information from you.
- They don’t have to tell you the truth or explain the whole story.
- I’m stupid and just don’t understand.
Now there was some truth to what I deduced because my dad did withhold information from me. But I broadened my characterization of that to most people and not just my father. Yes, he withheld information from me which was a trait of his. He could have told me there is a blinker switch that he would turn on to let the officer know which direction he was going, and I would have understood better. He could also have explained where the blinker would show up for the officer as well, but that was not my father.
My Conclusions … Wrong Conclusions
In my child like mind, I came up with the conclusion that people withhold information. Now not all people have done that to me but way more than should be acceptable. I took that issue that happened to me and painted it amongst most people. I accepted this behavior for many years and so I attracted that type of person. Instead of confronting those people who behaved that way I would just shut down.
That issue wasn’t traumatic per se, but it did cause a mindset that I had to clear out and renew my thinking when it comes to asking people questions. If someone does that to me now, I will pursue a clearer answer. Should they choose to continue in that behavior, I may confront them or I move on with my question and that relationship. I don’t need that type of person in my life.
Does this expose anything similar in your life that happened to you and you need to renew your mind on? Take some quiet time and reflect on major issues in your life that don’t seem to get resolved or continue to repeat themselves. Perhaps there is a belief you took on in your child like mind that needs to be renewed. It will be worth renewing. I guarantee.
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
C.S. Lewis
If you uncover something, then go to my prior message where I give you step by step guidelines on how to specifically renew your mind. What Are the Steps to Renew Your Mind?
I hope this message sheds some more light on the need to renew our minds from past mis-beliefs.
Blessings, love and hope
Your Spiritual Life & Health Coach … believing in you!
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