Crazy and insidious, that’s what they are, those lies we tell ourselves. The things that get in the way of living fully and joyously.
1. I’m not good enough. What’s the root of this, I wonder? Because it’s very common, this idea that we aren’t good enough for…you name it. That promotion. A happy relationship. What happens to us between the time we’re innocent children and adulthood that hinders our ability to see our natural self-worth?
If you have these thoughts? Kill them. We are all inherently good enough.
2. I can’t do it. Henry Ford once said something like “whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re always right.” Ain’t it the truth. Attitude is everything and if not everything, almost everything. We know this intellectually but beating it into us is sometimes required.
Figuratively, of course.
I see this on a small scale every day when my trainer presents me with some move I think is out of my league and tells me, “You can do it.” And I can. I just have to believe I can.
3. I don’t deserve it. Why must we deserve anything? We don’t have to earn good fortune–we just need to claim it. That’s what I say: just claim it as our own. As children of God, the Universe, the Divine, we already deserve a happy life. So, claim it.
If you’re telling yourself any of these lies, stop. And if you’ve had an epiphany, a moment when you realized you were already good enough, I hope you’ll share below, so others might be inspired.
It took me so long to figure these 3 points out, I wish I was able to embrace them in my 20’s and 30’s. Very smart, very useful and very necessary to let go of these lies early on!
These are good reminders, Carol. I will always struggle with them in some way. But I do remind myself that I AM good enough. It gets easier, it seems, as I age. Ooh, there’s a term I don’t like. “As I age.” As I get older? As I mature? As I gracefully advance in life? 🙂
I don’t think we realize what’s on that “tape” until we stop to listen. It’s a powerful thing to realize that we have no real, valid beef with life, but have often just fallen into very bad habits that go way back to when we were younger and impressionable and WAY more interested in pleasing. But today, I did that. Located the negative assumptions and did a little cross examining. I felt lighter, and then I saw this post which affirmed it all – what timing.
Carol,
Powerfully simple advice.
Whenever I get discouraged I always pull out my favorite book ” The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. Five minutes later I am back in the driver’s seat.
I like to think I’m a positive person…but I do have these self-doubts at times. You and so many other bloggers have kept me going with your encouragement to keep writing. Same thing happens at my gym; didn’t think I’d ever do Zumba at my age….but I can! And I do!
Weights are another story and I’m empowered now to give it another go!
Thank you for these simple yet powerful reminders to believe in ourselves!
I appreciate your comment on my MB post today, Carol; I was not able to reply for some reason!
It took me an awful long time to stop that tape from playing in my head.
I’m not sure exactly why I stopped listening to it other than a friend told me I
spent too much time trying to please people that were not for me. I began distancing myself from those negative people and it changed my life.
My dad always said, there are 24 hours in the day, you might as well think BIG.
In addition, he always told me if I really worked hard enough, I could do anything.
I feel so blessed to have that life script from him!!!
Great post! I always seem to be a work in progress with all this stuff! I think I go backwards during the tough times & I am sure that is normal for many…
A wise man once told me “When you buy the thought, you buy the lie.” I learned how to decipher truth from non-truth and it has helped me realize my self-worth. This is no easy feat for someone who has been battered. Your post brought back many memories of working through these issues. Thank you
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It took me so long to figure these 3 points out, I wish I was able to embrace them in my 20’s and 30’s. Very smart, very useful and very necessary to let go of these lies early on!
It’s part of maturing, isn’t it?
These are good reminders, Carol. I will always struggle with them in some way. But I do remind myself that I AM good enough. It gets easier, it seems, as I age. Ooh, there’s a term I don’t like. “As I age.” As I get older? As I mature? As I gracefully advance in life? 🙂
I’m enjoying getting acquainted with you through your postings. Much positive thinking being shared!
Mell, I hope you’ll come back often!
I don’t think we realize what’s on that “tape” until we stop to listen. It’s a powerful thing to realize that we have no real, valid beef with life, but have often just fallen into very bad habits that go way back to when we were younger and impressionable and WAY more interested in pleasing. But today, I did that. Located the negative assumptions and did a little cross examining. I felt lighter, and then I saw this post which affirmed it all – what timing.
Hey, that’s great! I try to be more conscious, but those lies are insidious.
Carol,
Powerfully simple advice.
Whenever I get discouraged I always pull out my favorite book ” The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. Five minutes later I am back in the driver’s seat.
I like that Henry Ford quote–whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re always right.
I like to think I’m a positive person…but I do have these self-doubts at times. You and so many other bloggers have kept me going with your encouragement to keep writing. Same thing happens at my gym; didn’t think I’d ever do Zumba at my age….but I can! And I do!
Weights are another story and I’m empowered now to give it another go!
Thank you for these simple yet powerful reminders to believe in ourselves!
I appreciate your comment on my MB post today, Carol; I was not able to reply for some reason!
It’s funny how the smallest things can keep us going. An encouraging word. Accomplishing something at the gym. Joan, I’m so glad you stopped by today!
It took me an awful long time to stop that tape from playing in my head.
I’m not sure exactly why I stopped listening to it other than a friend told me I
spent too much time trying to please people that were not for me. I began distancing myself from those negative people and it changed my life.
The tape. Yes, an endless loop for many.
My dad always said, there are 24 hours in the day, you might as well think BIG.
In addition, he always told me if I really worked hard enough, I could do anything.
I feel so blessed to have that life script from him!!!
You definitely got luck of the draw!
Great post! I always seem to be a work in progress with all this stuff! I think I go backwards during the tough times & I am sure that is normal for many…
We’re all works in progress, I do believe that.
A wise man once told me “When you buy the thought, you buy the lie.” I learned how to decipher truth from non-truth and it has helped me realize my self-worth. This is no easy feat for someone who has been battered. Your post brought back many memories of working through these issues. Thank you
He certainly WAS wise! Very true.