Quotes and Wisdom
from the Top of the Mind™

Beliefs #3

 

"We are either creating new beliefs or reacting to old ones, depending on where we invest our attention. Creating keeps us from reacting because it is impossible to do both at the same time."

– adapted from Printer Bowler

I have adapted this quote from Printer Bowler because I believe that it both offers an explanation for why we find ourselves stuck in old reactive patterns of thought and behavior, and also gives us a way to change these patterns, and thus change our life. The quote first speaks to the power of habits. Now, in many ways, habits can be helpful because they allow us to avoid having to "think" about many of the things we do, such as, walking, writing, etc.

The problem, of course, is when old habitual beliefs about ourselves or the world have us reacting to life in a way that creates more problems than solutions. Examples of these old beliefs are our tendency to see ourselves as unworthy of being loved and appreciated by ourselves or others, discounting or ignoring the positive qualities that we bring to our jobs, relationships, endeavors, etc. and, in general, focusing our attention on the negative, problematic, fear-based aspects of life. Just to be clear, I am not advocating forcing oneself to believe that "everything is wonderful," and/or we should just pretend that nothing negative exists in the world. I just wonder if it is really serving us to focus so much of our attention on the problems that we become fatigued, overwhelmed, or even depressed.

The reason I question this focus is reflected in the first part of this week's quote: "We are either creating new beliefs or reacting to old ones, depending on where we invest our attention." You see, I believe that many of us are not making the decision about where we invest our attention "on purpose," meaning that I don't think we are choosing to focus on all the negative beliefs about ourselves and the world purposefully, or deliberately. We just find ourselves doing it.

So, how do we stop? We don't "stop" . . . we "start." In other words, if we have determined that our tendency to focus our attention on old negative beliefs isn't serving us, our ability to change will be determined not by what we are trying to "stop" (which is really trying to deal with a negative focus through another negative focus), but what we are willing to "start" and continue to practice. Or, as this week's quote says: "Creating (new, more purposeful beliefs) keeps us from reacting (to old habitual beliefs) because it is impossible to do both at the same time."

We don't have to "stop" anything because our willingness to take 100% responsibility for the beliefs we are "starting" and continuing to practice will automatically focus our attention and creative energy on a more purposeful, solution-focused way of life. Or as I like to put it, the challenge is to be willing to practice "Living and Working On Purpose."

Take care and God bless, Dr. Bill