The things we identify with or believe can offer us a sense of belonging to a group. Our identity, within a community of like-minded individuals offers security. This is an essential part of our human experience – to belong.
Lonely people crave connection, communication, and community belonging. To belong somewhere and be loved is what we all need and want.
There can be issues that arise once committed to a way of thinking or believing. It can make a person not open to new people and experiences. New people and experiences add value and personal growth. New people bring about new conversations, understanding and renewed perspective to life overall.
An example would be differing religious groups. If I believe my way of believing is correct and everyone else is deceived or wrong, that is how I will approach all my interactions outside of my community. If I’m willing to learn about another person’s faith, and spiritual journey, I am better able to be inclusive and open to hearing and understanding. It doesn’t mean I have to jump ship, but it does mean that my world view changes and adapts. Extremism isn’t always presented in shouts and screams, or protests and anger. Extremism is only seeing things from one perspective, our own. Extremism essentially blocks freedom of thought, as though, only what I think is correct! What you think doesn’t matter. It will inhibit and eventually destroy relationships if I think I am right about everything. Can we not listen to understand another person ways of seeing the world and being in the world without judgement? It’s not easy but it is helpful. So many factors such as upbringing are responsible for what we believe about ourselves and others. How did we come to believe what we believe? One thing I’ve been trying to practice over these past few years is to consider I may be wrong about things, even though I THINK I am not. Could there be something I am missing? How can I think “I am right” and you are wrong? To under-stand is to put my thoughts aside, stand down from needing to defend myself and really listen! When we were born, we had no beliefs, no separation from others. However, from the ages of 0 -7years we were being imprinted upon by what our parents believe. Depending in what part of the world a child is born, they will be taught culture, spirituality (beliefs or no belief) and a way of being that is acceptable to their parents and within their own communities and society.
As we grow, mature and develop our own ways of thinking, we decide what we will uphold and what we will dismantle in our own life. It can be a long journey through our years discovering and realizing exactly what it is WE actually BELIEVE. Letting go of ways of thinking that are NOT in our best interest or our relationships. Holding on to the ways of thinking that work and bring about peace, and fulfillment to our own life. What I do know, is how different we ALL are, and our way of BEING in the world is subject to so many unique scenarios and experiences. No two people have shared the same upbringing or life experiences. That thought is enough to blow my mind. Does it blow yours, because if it doesn’t, it should!
What I do know to be true is, there ARE certain principles that are proven to work to establish a healthy pattern of living a life that honours your SELF and others. I write about these principles in my book ‘Life BEING In It.’
These principles prove to be non-negotiable and absolutely cross over any established mindset or belief system to the contrary. In our human experience it is our beliefs that separate us, not our culture, upbringing, communities, or colour of our skin. Our beliefs need to be challenged ongoing throughout our life. We can do this by choosing to BE under-standing.
Teresa de Mouilpied-Moore Life BEING In It - Life Coach/Author/Podcaster/Writer
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