How to Follow Your Dreams
The Seven of Cups is one of my favorite tarot cards. It represents dreams flowing to us. Not just those we actively pursue but those set within our destiny with no effort or exertion required.
As children we follow these passionate impulses without fear or hesitation. The world, our parents and society slowly dismiss these destinies as fanciful and set us on more productive pursuits, thus squashing that which is most innate within our hearts.
To follow your dreams is not the stuff of legend but the very purpose of life. However, you can recapture that destiny which allows you to fulfill the illustrious nature of your true being.
AN INVITATION TO REMEMBER
How do we begin to find our dreams if they have slipped from us? While some blessed souls may have it charted out with great focus, others may find dreams to be a bit elusive slowly fading from our view. Rarely do we have parents actively championing our dreams, inserting instead their own morals and issues to help us avoid their missteps. Yes, this is done from love, but rarely from awareness.
The “why,” the logic, often obfuscates the seed of the dream. “How will I get there?” or “Who will be interested in hearing what I have to say?” shades the passion. Vulnerability, fear and doubt set in.
To recapture that which has always been with us may require creative exercises of daydreaming. What was it that excited you as child? What were the longings of the innocent heart before practicality was interjected? Passion and curiosity are the surest ways to find your abandoned dreams.
We are drawn to those things that match our destiny. Like some phantom limb, we can always feel them when we seek them. Find the whisperings and this is the key to find the dreams long forgotten. Regardless of the sensibility, seize the dream and breathe life into it. Even if this is not the ultimate path, these curiosities will bring you home.
GENTLER THAN YOU EXPECT
Expectations will likely pulverize the dream. Fearless pursuit and relentless determination are no way to chase your dreams. Inherent in the chase, is the disappointment or the exhilaration, both addictive. Chasing is not the way.
Dreams do not like to be quantified and work outside of the realm of logic. Treat it with curious devotion and the nature of dreams has its own magic which will find you. Your destiny is already set, my love.
Like the blueprint of the oak within the acorn, you are sure to succeed in those pursuits you most desire.
Feed your dreams through gentle nurturing and quiet attention. It is faith – not discipline – that will bring your dreams to you. Follow the dreams; don’t set course for them with careful planning and detailed attention, for then it becomes a task. It is the process of discovery that fills us with such joy we cannot bear to let it be forgotten.
ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS
Once the dream has been pinpointed, the universe quickly confirms you are on the right track by sending blessings your way. Synchronictites begin appearing that confirm your path. You find things come to you easily. It is a matter of alignment after all. When we match the frequency of our destiny and follow our dreams with loving gentleness, the world conspires to help us achieve that which has been ordained for us.
You could call this fate. But fate feels firm to me – fatal – lacking in free will and with plodded course. Destiny is the blueprint. How we arrive there is the journey of each soul and the delight of being.
The energies that find us when we follow our dreams feel good. This sense of peace, contentment and excitement are sure signs we are in alignment with our dreams. When we are in rhythm with the truth of our hearts, we cannot be but lifted by the path ahead. Even if we are unable to see the outcome, the process of creation feels too fulfilling to abandon.
Following our dreams gives us life, vitality, passion and becomes the purpose of our lives. We will feel more joyful and attract more of the same to us. Without effort, with loving attention, when we find the vibration of our destiny, and tend it well, everything unfolds just as planned. It is faith, not a detailed plan, that will feed our dreams and bring us to our destiny.
PRINCIPLE OF PRIORITY
We have many demands on us on any given day. Bills, self care, family and professional obligations at times seem to fill our to do list. If we feed these necessities only, the dreams will begin to wither. The trick is that the dream is always near, waiting patiently to be nurtured. Paying attention to that which gives us passion daily is the most certain path to following our dreams.
Like a muse, the dream is always faithful to us and expression its only purpose. To come into being is its destiny and it has chosen to become through us. Our obligation is to make it a priority. Want to write a book? Commit to writing every day even if only a sentence at a time. Want to be a great artist? Buy the canvas and have the tools at the ready when inspiration does strike.
Without our due diligence we are poor stewards for dreams. Be ready, be receptive and welcome the dream to move through you. This is the path of defiant self love which emboldens us to rise to our destiny.
FOLLOW YOUR DREAM AS AN ACT OF CREATION
No great work happens overnight. The Sistine chapel did not just appear. It took devotion, love and consistent attention to complete. We are often dissuaded from our dreams because we cannot see the veracity of its final product. We look for confirmation that we are doing it “right” when the only validation is the joy it brings.
Creation is a tricky process. Sometimes it is pulsating with life ready to burst forth from us. Other times a quiet murmur that awaits breath to come back.
SET AN ALTAR FOR YOUR DREAMS
A vision board may be one expression but I like a bit more deep ritual. In my home, I have an altar to my business and my book. Both receive attention and are tended. I thank them when the muse is loud and honor them when the dream feels far off.
Faith fills me knowing the fulfillment of my dreams is coming even when I cannot possibly see how it comes into reality. Following the dream brings such delight I have no desire to stop even if I cannot grasp how the final product will reach the world.
ALL IS ATTRACTED TO YOU
When I began this path as shaman, I could not imagine where it would lead. I only knew it was the only pursuit that brought me joy. As a child, I would become excited talking about ghosts and aliens. With each step I’ve taken to honor this dream, more reveals itself. The destiny is set and my only job is to follow the clues and remain devoted. I could not have hoped to sit here now writing about such esoteric matters, moreover, that you would even read them. And yet with each unfolding, I find there is little for me to question. It seems the only “logical” next step. Follow the dreams, breathe life into the passion and all will come to you.
The converse of this is also true. In following your dreams, the fears, doubts and challenges will arise. With courage, we face these with the same gentle loving presence and the illusions which seem to block us begin to dissolve.
Rather than feeling discouraged, see the obstacles as exactly the trigger than will help us heal and overcome the doubts deep within. When these “icky” energies arise, it is only asking to be loved, acknowledged and brought back into the fold of your total whole self.
YOUR DREAMS ARE SACRED
When you treat your dreams as a holy quest, a path of sacred devotion, interesting things begin to occur. As if by magic, everything appears for you. Destiny unfolds before you requiring no stress, no effort. This is the way and is ready to remind you of your brilliance.
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About the Author
10 Examples of Limiting Beliefs and How to Overcome Them
Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts that prevent us from reaching our goals and living the life we desire. In this article, we explore how to identify and overcome these beliefs to unlock our true potential and manifest our desires.
Table of Contents
- What Are Limiting Beliefs?
- 10 Common Examples of Limiting Beliefs
- How Limiting Beliefs Affect Manifestation
- What Is the Origin of Limiting Beliefs or Thoughts?
- How to Overcome Limiting Ideas
- The Importance of Empowering Beliefs in Manifestation
- 10 Examples of Empowering Beliefs
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts and convictions that act as barriers in our personal growth. These beliefs form throughout our lives, often stemming from past experiences, family and social influences, leading us to doubt our abilities. As a result, we set artificial limits on what we believe is possible, preventing us from reaching our true potential.
A limiting belief can be as simple as thinking “I’m not good enough,” or as complex as a pattern of behavior that keeps us stuck in an undesirable situation. By becoming aware of these beliefs, we can begin to question and challenge them, opening the door to new possibilities and opportunities.
Identifying our limiting beliefs is the first step towards overcoming them. This involves deep reflection to understand how these negative thoughts affect us and where they originated in our lives. By dismantling these beliefs, we can replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts that allow us to move forward towards our goals with confidence and determination.
10 Common Examples of Limiting Beliefs
Identifying our limiting beliefs is the first step towards overcoming them and unlocking our potential. Here are ten common examples of these beliefs:
- I’m not good enough: “I’ll never be as good as others.”
- I’m too old or too young: “I’m too young to be a manager.”
- I don’t have enough money: “I’ll never be able to afford that.”
- I don’t have enough time: “I don’t have time to pursue my dreams.”
- I’m not smart: “I can’t understand this, it’s too hard for me.”
- Success is for others, not for me: “They have what it takes, I don’t.”
- I must think of others first, even if it hurts me: “I must always put others’ needs before mine.”
- I’m not creative: “I never have original ideas.”
- It’s too difficult: “I can’t do it, it’s too complicated.”
- I don’t deserve to be happy: “I don’t deserve to enjoy life.”
How Limiting Beliefs Affect Manifestation
Limiting beliefs act as blocks in the manifestation process, preventing our intentions and desires from materializing. When we hold onto negative thoughts or doubt our abilities, we emit a low vibration that attracts experiences and situations aligned with these limiting beliefs. This creates a cycle in which our expectations are continuously confirmed, reinforcing our limitations.
Changing our limiting beliefs requires a conscious and practical approach. It is essential to recognize that these negative thoughts do not reflect reality, but rather a perception conditioned by past experiences. Through techniques such as meditation, the use of positive affirmations, and the practice of visualization, we can transform these mental patterns and align ourselves with our true capabilities. By modifying our beliefs, we not only improve our self-image but also create a mental environment conducive to manifesting our desires and goals.
What Is the Origin of Limiting Beliefs or Thoughts?
Limiting beliefs originate primarily in our childhood, when we are more susceptible to external influences. The messages and experiences we receive from our parents, teachers, and social environment begin to shape our perception of ourselves and the world. Phrases like “you’re not good enough” or “that’s too hard for you” can become deeply ingrained, forming the foundation of our limiting ideas.
In addition to external influences, our personal experiences also play an important role in the development of limiting beliefs. Failures, rejections, and traumatic situations can leave a lasting impression on our minds, leading us to generalize those negative experiences and believe that we will always fail or be rejected. This negative thought pattern is reinforced every time we avoid similar situations to protect ourselves from pain.
Limiting beliefs can also be the result of the culture and society in which we live. Social norms, expectations, and stereotypes can impose restrictions on what we consider possible or acceptable. For example, cultural beliefs about gender, age, or economic status can limit our aspirations and self-image, affecting our ability to manifest the life we truly desire.
Finally, limiting beliefs can originate in our own internal dialogue. Repetitive and negative thoughts can become a mental habit, continuously reinforcing our limiting perceptions. This critical internal dialogue can be especially insidious, as it operates at a subconscious level, influencing our decisions and behaviors without us even realizing it.
How to Overcome Limiting Ideas
Overcoming limiting ideas requires a conscious process of introspection and mental reprogramming. First, it is important to identify and observe these negative beliefs, recognizing their origin and how they affect our lives. Then, through techniques such as meditation, positive affirmations, and visualization, we can reprogram our subconscious and replace limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs that strengthen us and propel us towards our goals.
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Detection and Observation of the Belief
The first step to overcoming a limiting belief is to detect it and observe it closely. Reflect on your daily thoughts and emotions, and ask yourself what beliefs might be blocking your progress. Write these beliefs down and examine their origin, recognizing when and how they arose and how they have influenced your decisions and behaviors.
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Reprogram the Subconscious
Reprogramming the subconscious involves replacing limiting beliefs with positive and empowering thoughts. Use positive affirmations and repeat them daily to modify your internal dialogue. Visualization is another effective technique: imagine in detail what your life would look like after overcoming these beliefs, creating new neural connections that reinforce these empowering thoughts.
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Change the Limiting Belief for an Empowering One
To change a limiting belief for an empowering one, first identify a positive belief you wish to adopt. Write affirmations that reflect this new belief and repeat them regularly. Each time you detect a limiting thought, consciously replace it with the positive affirmation. This process requires consistency and daily practice so that the new belief takes root.
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Consolidation of the New Belief
Consolidating a new belief requires practice and consistency. Integrate your new beliefs into your daily routine through concrete actions that reinforce them. Keep a journal of your progress, record your successes, and reflect on how these new beliefs are transforming your life. Over time, these beliefs will become an integral part of your thinking and daily behavior.
The Importance of Empowering Beliefs in Manifestation
Empowering beliefs are essential for manifestation because they directly influence our ability to attract and achieve our desires. These beliefs propel us forward, creating a positive and receptive mental state. By maintaining empowering beliefs, we align our vibration with our goals, making it easier for our intentions to become reality.
In addition, empowering beliefs allow us to overcome internal obstacles and maintain a mindset of abundance and possibility. They reinforce our self-image and positive expectations, creating a mental and emotional environment that supports and motivates us. By adopting these beliefs, we visualize our goals more clearly and act with confidence and determination, transforming our reality in meaningful ways.
10 Examples of Empowering Beliefs
Adopting empowering beliefs is essential to manifesting our desires and achieving our goals. Here are ten examples of these beliefs that can transform your life:
- I am enough: “I have everything I need to succeed.”
- Age does not define my ability: “Every stage of my life brings new opportunities.”
- Abundance is within my reach: “Money flows to me with ease.”
- I have time for everything that matters: “I can manage my time to fulfill my dreams.”
- I am smart and capable: “I can learn and master any skill.”
- Success is for everyone: “I have what it takes to succeed.”
- Taking care of myself is a priority: “My needs are as important as anyone else’s.”
- I am creative: “I have original and valuable ideas.”
- Challenges are opportunities: “I can overcome any obstacle.”
- I deserve to be happy: “I deserve to fully enjoy life.”
