Reader asks: Why are beliefs so important?

Alexis Rae Baker

Dear Lexis,

Why is it that you think that beliefs are so important?

 Thanks,

          ~ Curious in Tumwater

Dear Curious,

That is an excellent question. The reason that I consider beliefs so vital is because everything we experience is first filtered through our brain, and therefore our beliefs.

Something I’ve always found interesting is the fact that our eyes don’t actually see the world right-side-up, it's our brains that flip the image. Something so immediate, so instantaneous is still filtered before we ever get the chance to consider it. We don’t experience what our eyes see directly, we experience our brain's interpretation. Now, granted, that interpretation may be extremely close, if not perfectly, accurate, but the fact that it’s filtered is very telling.

Every sensation that we experience is similarly filtered. Everything we smell, taste, touch, or hear isn’t reality, not really, it’s our brain's translation of what’s around us.

Knowing this, you may start to realize just how impactful your beliefs can be. Our beliefs shape the “language” our brain translates our experience into. The beliefs we hold shape our reality, our perception, and our emotions in powerful ways. How do I know? Because people kill for their beliefs. We hold so tightly to our beliefs because they shape the way we see the world around us and changing them means facing the raw truth that we don’t actually know what is real.

Uncertainty is not something that we tend to enjoy. And while necessary to life, most of us prefer to stick with the devil that we know. Throwing away our life experiences is terrifying, we don’t know where we might end up, but by sticking with the known we can at least be sure that things will follow a similar trajectory. Even if that trajectory is bad or unpleasant. Our beliefs shape this path for us, providing us with an idea of what tomorrow will bring.

Unfortunately, most of us develop our beliefs well before we have the chance to consider their viability. We generally ‘inherit’ our beliefs from our parents, friends, and teachers and we continue to carry those beliefs with us until, or unless, something forces a change. If we were all innately positive, happy people, this may not be so bad, but we are a race born with a fear of death and that fear can cause a lot of issues.

The belief that money is scarce or that people are only out for themselves can cause us to develop an abundance of bad behaviors as a result. The fear that we won’t have enough tomorrow can cause us to cling to what we have, stock up on what we may need tomorrow (hoard), or steal from those who we believe have that which we need. Beliefs like this are the very foundation behind criminal behavior, which is, in turn, the foundation of negative beliefs in others. It’s a very unfortunate cycle.

Taking time to dig into our beliefs to see which ones are serving us vs. hurting us, is the first step in shifting the world in a more positive direction. It’s the first step in reducing, or eliminating, destructive behaviors in our lives and in the lives of those we love. It’s the way we make the world a place that we want to live.

It’s amazing how something that seems so abstract can be so powerful, but there’s no denying the power behind belief. This is why I consider beliefs so important.

Hope this helps and brings you clarity.

Best wishes,

          ~ Lexis

Lexis is Alexis Rae Baker. She writes from her home in Olympia.   Got a question about life, relationships, spirit? Write to Lexis at  Lexis@theJOLTnews.com