“It’s always going to be this way,” my client said. “It’s never going to change.”

So often in my work, I witness how our core beliefs influence how we see ourselves, others, and this world.  They influence how our impressions and our behaviors.  Our negative core beliefs dampen our sense of hope, rob us of our energy and vitality, and disconnect us from “possibility.”

When we start to become conscious of what our beliefs are and we name them, they begin to have less influence over us.  In this same session with my client, I asked her if she would be willing to try something out for the next two weeks:  whenever she became aware of this belief (“it’s always going to be this way” and “it’s never going to change”), she would do the following:

• pause
• acknowledge the presence of this belief
• notice how this belief feels in her body
• practice “radical acceptance”: breathe with it, allowing it to “be here, too” — not pushing it away
• and then notice what possibility her True Self (Deeper Wisdom, Divine Within) is calling to her to open to —  “TODAY, IN THIS MOMENT, I am going to believe…”  And write that down.

My client was used to me talking about “radical acceptance.” She knew from working with me that combining “radical acceptance” with a body-centered practice of “presence” supports organic shifts to happen.  And by also intentionally bringing attention to the deeper Sacred Wisdom within her, she could make contact with this “Vast Ocean” of her True Self, and she could remember that this “Sacred Ocean of Possibility” could hold (and dissolve) her negative beliefs — just through skillful attention and gentle, slow allowing.

in our next session, my client came back telling me that it was a relief for her not to try to CHANGE the negative core belief but rather embrace it.  And under the wing of such “radical acceptance,” she began to “touch” the Deeper Ocean within her that REMEMBERS what is possible.  She would wait until this Deeper Ocean would speak to her: “Today I’m going to believe…” and she would then right it down.  She posted it on her bathroom mirror.  This was Sacred Remembering — remembering that all our core beliefs are held in a deeper Ocean of Wisdom and when we tap into this Ocean, all that is held here dissolves back into Truth.

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These have been some of my “Today I’m going to believe….” truths from the Vast Ocean within me.  May they support you in touching and accessing the wisdom within your own Self:

Today I’m going to believe that happiness is a choice – my choice.  Instead of spending my energy trying to change my dear ones or arrange circumstances just “perfectly so,” I realize that I choose my inner experience, the lens I look through, and my happiness.

Today I’m going to believe that the divine is everywhere – even in the self-doubt, the unmet dreams, the habitual patterns of reacting, the parts of me that feel lousy, insecure, crappy, ashamed – especially those parts.

Today I’m going to believe that healing happens right here in this moment, arriving in this body, being present to the beating of my heart, and staying and softening…instead of analyzing, dissecting, asking why, blaming, being harsh.

Today I’m going to believe that this is perfect – this very moment – “good” or “bad” –  it is here to awaken me, open my heart, and draw me closer to the divine.

Today I’m going to believe that the holy is right here – within me, around me, and treat everyone (myself included) with a gentle regard – slower kisses goodbye, kinder eyes, gentler words.

Today I’m going to believe that this messy, fleshy, human experience with all its brokenness and uncertainty is where Grace shows up.

Today I’m going to believe that opening my heart feels a lot better than closing myself off.

Today I’m going to believe in re-dos, do-overs, and beginning agains.

Today I’m going to believe that wherever I am, Love is also – alongside me, accompanying me, gently whispering prayers to my heart.

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Dear Ones, Take a few moments and notice what core beliefs are influencing how you see yourself, your dear ones, and this world.  Practice “radical acceptance” — breathing with them, allowing them to be here.  And then call on that Deeper Ocean of Wisdom within you.  See what True Belief it wants you to remember.  And write down your own “Today I will believe” statement.  Keep it in a place you’ll see it and remember this truth.