Written by: Corrussal Gee, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Most adults agree that, as children, they submit to authority, and this was no different for me. My parents told me what was best – what to do and think and how to feel and behave. Disobeying this behavior resulted in dire consequences and punishment, and because of this, I became conditioned. This authority even instilled in me what I was to believe.
“As young children carefully observe their environment and download the worldly wisdom offered by their parents directly into their subconscious memory, their parents’ beliefs become their own. The fundamental behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes we observe in our caretakers become “hardwired” as synaptic pathways in our subconscious minds. Once programmed into the subconscious mind, they control our biology for the rest of our lives or at least until we try to reprogram them (Lipton, 2015).” School institutions, churches, organizations, parental homes, and society have trained us on acceptable norms. However, were they my beliefs?
In this article, I share how I evolved into a more confident woman by identifying unhealthy belief systems and understanding what was best for my life. My mind needed to discern whether my beliefs or thoughts were authentic to the real me or were adopted to satisfy those around me. I needed to find myself on my terms because, as an adult, I had spent countless years and made mistakes living unauthentically. However, I finally realized I had the power to choose what I wanted to believe. I learned it was ok to question those belief systems’ sources and determine if they fit into my authentic life. When I was younger, I devalued my self-worth. I was timid. Now, as an older woman, the joy of knowing that I could reprogram myself was mind-blowing. For my health, it was necessary to discover and establish my belief system without interference from others.
Our decision-making is a result of hardwired beliefs in our minds. According to Britannica, in the Western tradition, the definition of the mind is the complex facility involved in perceiving, remembering, considering, evaluating, and finally deciding (Britannica.com, 2024). The mind is complex and unique, with the power to possess and define one’s thinking ability and personality. As a child, I did not have the mental capacity to understand the workings of the mind, but as an adult, I have had questions about how one discerns truth or deception. How do I know if I have embraced beliefs or thoughts that are authentic to me instead of others? Are these beliefs and thoughts something I heard repeatedly until they were hardwired? Do I believe what I am thinking is good for me?
A defining “Aha”moment or revelation occurred when I took an honest and deep assessment of the originality of my beliefs. Through this examination, I fleshed out my desire to live authentically. From there, my confidence soared, and I broke the shell of an illusion of living out someone else’s belief system. Examining an authentic life requires the guidance of life coaches and professionals who have compassion and offer a non judgemental space to discover and examine the hard stuff. In that space, trust thrives and is vital to healing and discovery. Once I found my safe place, I could begin to uncover the conscious or subconscious cycles and decisions that led to my self-sabotaging behavior - destructive behavior that undetermined my spiritual, physical, and mental wellness. In this safe place, I could dive into the root and heart of the issues to become more self-aware and start reprogramming my mind. It took enormous courage to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, but in doing so, I regained my power! In gaining my power, my confidence grew, I became emotionally healthy, and I emerged to wholeness.
Women who want to heal must have the courage to face some hard facts about themselves that will make them uncomfortable. Women are often told they are not good enough, and we believe those lies. Those lies often follow and break women to the point of no return. The discovery work to uncover your unhealthy beliefs and lies is the path to healthy truths, confidence, love, and living purposefully. We can learn from our mistakes, embrace our imperfections, and finally seize the opportunities to understand who we are in our spirit, mind, and body. We are divine beings and live in the space of divine purpose we received from our creator.
As women, we must encourage one another to become women who embrace our values and live healed, whole, and fulfilling lives. Let me, a woman who has overcome and is still overcoming, take this journey to discovery with you. Let’s no longer be held hostage by these false thoughts and beliefs. You can improve your relationships with your children, co-workers, spouse, parents, and friends through this work, but it must start with you. Muster your courage, and take the steps needed to blossom into the woman and life your divine creator has purposed for you. You deserve it!
Corrussal Gee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
I am excited about serving women who are members of non-traditional families who face hardships within, also women who feel as though they are unable to break from unfulfilling patterns and to heal from broken relationships.
References:
“Mind.”(2024). Britannica.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.britanica.com/topic/mind
Lipton, Bruce H. Ph.D. (2015). The Biology of Belief. Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matters & Miracles 7:173.
.jpg)