What within me is in the way of getting to where I most want to be?

Now that I have examined where I am in my life and where I would like to be, whether it is a tangible goal or a spiritual ideal, I need to examine what is in my way, what is blocking me from progressing to where I would like to most be. When pondering this question we need to look at what is limiting us, holding us back from our desired goal or state.

Limiting Beliefs

Most of the time what stops us from becoming the person we envision ourselves as being are limiting beliefs. We tell ourselves we are not good enough, that we can’t do it, we are not worthy, etc.  If I believe I can’t do something it makes sense that I will fail. If I tell my self that I am not good at something I won’t take the chance of exploring an opportunity farther.

I’ve had trouble writing this post over the last couple of days due to a belief I have:  I am not a good writer.  I tell myself that a lot and at times it makes writing blog posts agonizing.  I believe that I do not communicate my ideas clearly.  Yet, when I read the comments people leave I find that my belief is not true.

Affirmation Exercise

An exercise I was taught to do to overcome a limiting belief was to first turn it around into an affirmation.  So, rather than saying I can’t write and communicate my ideas clearly I can say I am an effective communicator writing clear and meaningful blog posts.

Now, I write that affirmation down and listen to the objection that comes to mind.  I write that down and then write my affirmation again and listen to the next objection.  I do that until there are no more objections.  My objections ranged from “you can’t write” to “no one is interested in what you write” and even had the “you’re stupid” pop into my head (that one I truly don’t believe).

At the end of the exercise I was able to come back and work on this post because I am an effective communicator and write clear and meaningful posts

What within me is in my way?

Now onto looking at what within me is in my way of  being present in the world as a healthy human being?  I’m going to go back to doing a brief meditation and asking that question.  What I see is a large hand pushing me back as I try to move.  I can’t move no matter how hard I push.  I feel defeated.  The phrases that come to mind are

• you are not dependable.
• you can’t do it because you’re disabled.
• it’s easier not trying.
• no one will believe you.
• just give up and be alone.

Wow, that’s pretty powerful stuff.  No wonder I feel stuck.   That hand that is pushing me back is all of those negative thoughts.  I need an affirmation to work with to turn the negative around.  Something simple like, I am a healthy, happy person.  I’m not going to do the writing exercise I mentioned above now but I will do it today to see what emerges.

Thoughts can be very powerful.  They can stop us from being the people we are able to be.  Thoughts can limit who we truly are. We need to find ways to overcome our limiting beliefs.  That leads us to the last question, what do I need to get to where I want to be?