Two things can be true at the same time.
Imagine you’re having a discussion with a coworker about the shape of the planet. You say:
“Flat earth theory is ridiculous. The planet is round.”
And your co-worker says “Well it’s actually not round.”
“But it’s not flat,” you say.
“It’s not round though,” they retort.
You both walk away believing you are right.
And both of you are right.
How? Because the Earth is oblong. Does that mean you’re wrong that the earth is not flat? No. Does that mean they’re wrong that the earth is not round?
No! Two things can be true at the same time.
And in the same way, we operate with beliefs in our subconscious that both elevate us and hinder us.
Our subconscious or unconscious (depending on if you follow Freud or Jung) is a part of our psyche, of who we are, that is buried. Hence: sub. Sub-marine. Sub-way. Underneath. Hidden from the surface.
The term Unconscious works well to describe this place too, because the unconscious stores parts of ourselves that are dormant, asleep, not conscious therefore not awake.
Choose whichever word resonates with you most.
These parts of ourselves that reside in the subconscious/unconscious are both from personal and collective experience--the latter meaning passed down through our ancestors and from out society or culture--that have been repressed.
These Subconscious/Unconscious parts can be characteristics and beliefs. Today, we’re focussing on beliefs.
I write this because I realised I have two conflicting beliefs operating simultaneously and unconsciously—that is of course, until today, when I suddenly became aware of them.
If you hadn’t seen on social media, I recently became a recipient of a small business grant of $5000 to go towards business training. It was a gruelling and stressful process applying for it and being in contact with the government…. ANYWAY.
The reason that it was so stressful, the reason that even these past few days I have been stressing and overthinking that the grant should go to someone who has more direction than I do, who knows what kind of support they need, who blah blah blah. Because there is a part of me that (a) believes I’m unworthy and (b) that does not trust myself nor the universe.
And YET, I still received the grant. Is that not evidence, that after that rigorous and meticulously detailed application, that I am worthy? Is that not evidence that, regardless of how I feel or think or act, my experiences or my beliefs, that the universe has my back?
There is also a part of me that believes I am worthy. That is the part of me that pushed me to sign up for the grant. The part of me that, even when met with hostility or challenge during the application process, persevered. The part of me that cried deeply with celebration. Why?
Because that part of me believed I AM worthy of this grant. That I CAN show up for myself. And that even if I don’t fully believe I am worthy, that the Universe might just have my back.
So two things CAN be true at the same time.
If you think you don’t deserve an amazing partner, yet you have people around you that would support you at the drop of a hat, you believe that (a) you aren’t worthy of love, and (b) are so very lovable.
If you think that you can’t speak to strangers, yet you talk to people for your job or show up to a webinar or go to engagement parties with people you barely know, you believe that (a) I am incapable of being seen or of connecting with others, and (b) I am capable of showing up for myself and connecting with others.
So don’t let your fears or limiting beliefs mean that you CAN’T do this or DON’T deserve that.
Your limiting beliefs or thoughts are not the be all and end all.
There are always other parts of you working to give you the best, to prove to you that you are worthy.
And there are mountains of evidence, if you are willing to look.
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