Let’s discuss

Where do our beliefs come from? Did we plan this life before we were born? We know the origins of some of them, but it’s worth pondering whether we are born into beliefs from the very beginning. A great many have shared their theories and beliefs about how we come to be: the soul enters a human body, and when we begin to develop a personality as we acclimate to our new family life. Do I know this to be true? No, but it is what I choose to believe, or at least what I want to think is a possibility.

It is essential to show children that people have different beliefs. You can do this by modeling such behaviors yourself.

Engage in conversations from the very beginning, perhaps starting while the embryo is in the womb, even if you think the embryo and children might not understand. They often perceive and comprehend more than we realize.

Encourage them to listen without reacting and to allow others to express their beliefs. The challenge we face is that we often create separation and division based on the beliefs that we hold individually.

Why should we care about the beliefs of others? This signifies a significant issue in our world and personal relationships. While everyone desires to be unique, division often occurs when someone expresses a conflicting belief.

When we find ourselves triggered by another’s beliefs, take a moment to notice that.

These triggers can be an opportunity for self-reflection. Ask yourself, “Is this true for ME, or am I simply judging?”

We all have beliefs that others may not share, and you wouldn’t want someone to distance themselves from you just because they were triggered by something you hold to be true and different.

Perception is projection. As a parent demonstrating a lifestyle within family dynamics, it’s essential to consider what you perceive as truth and how that perception is reflected in your outward behavior. It’s valuable to recognize that we all have our own wounds that influence our relationships, and we work through them together.

It’s essential to model what it means to hold a belief that may differ from someone else’s. It is helpful to recognize that people have a variety of beliefs, and that’s completely okay. There is valuable information that emerges from our differences. Children absorb information and experiences like sponges.

Encourage children to listen with an open mind and an open heart to others, even when their beliefs differ from their own. Ensure that you demonstrate this behavior in your own life as well. The saying “do as I say, not as I do” is detrimental at best.

Allowing children to express their own beliefs carries significance, as it encourages them to listen and be receptive to others’ beliefs.

Many of our problems arise from the divisions we create based on personal beliefs. If something someone says negatively resonates with you, consider it an opportunity for self-reflection. Ask yourself whether their words truly connect with your beliefs or if you are passing judgment.

At the end of the day, we each hold beliefs that differ from those around us. It’s essential to cultivate an understanding that being ostracized for these differences can be deeply hurtful. We must remember that our perceptions are often colored by what we project onto others. Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we hold as true and consider how our views might influence the way we see the world and each other. Embracing this awareness can foster compassion and connection. We can choose to change our minds and how we choose to look at things with a little willingness.

A Course in Miracles teaches that “projection makes perception“: the world we see is not objective reality, but an outer picture of our inner thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. Our perception is a result of what we project from our minds, meaning we project inner states like fear and guilt onto others, and then perceive a world filled with conflict. The solution is not to change the world, but to change our minds, thereby changing our perceptions, according to ACIM