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Loading...Combating Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
- Sarah Cooke
- April 30, 2012
- 6:00 am
- 10 comments
I had a fascinating conversation last week with an acquaintance about self-fulfilling prophecies. Many of us have been conditioned by the circumstances of our lives to view ourselves in certain ways. And when we try to grow beyond those constructed identities, we often come face to face with all of our old self-doubt, and it is like running into a brick wall.
Perhaps we harbored fears in the past that we no longer hold onto, but we still see ourselves as we did then. Or maybe we have internalized what others have said about us. Whatever the case may be, when we start examining the emotional conditioning that has created those misperceptions, it is often surprising how much of our life’s story is simply the result of negative self-talk.
And when we buy into this self-talk, it can be very difficult to grow and to discover our true natures. We will be able to accomplish no more than we believe we are – or could potentially be – capable of. Combating these misconceptions is challenging and requires an open mind. Even if we do not feel we are capable of accomplishing a particular dream or goal, it is important to try to open up enough space in our minds for the possibility that maybe – just maybe – it could all work out. If we believe in the possibility, then we can give ourselves permission to try. And even if we fail, what is important is the attempt. Failure shows us that we can survive disappointment and live to try another day.
Read more: Life, Mental Wellness, Self-Help, Spirit
Sarah Cooke
Sarah Cooke is a writer living in California. She is interested in organic food and green living. Sarah holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Naropa University, an M.A. in Humanities from NYU, and a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University. She has written for a number of publications, and she studied Pastry Arts at the Institute for Culinary Education. Her interests include running, yoga, baking, and poetry. Read more on her blog.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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10 comments
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good to remember
Yep, negative self talk is the gloom and doom mind machine....
We can all use techniques/tools/mantras to help us become Aware of this habit when it is happening and then be able to turn it off. When we do catch this sort of self defeating mind chatter, it ripples outwards into every area of our life in positive life affirming forms............!
Self-fulfilling prophecies are not necessarily bad... you just need to get them working toward positive ends.
Yes, much self-examination of our thoughts and words needs to be done before we are able to become entirely comfortable within our own skin.
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Thanl you!!
the universe is our shared country the earth is our shared home to do good should be our shared religion and all beings by the fact of evolution are our family
we are change
life has value beyond measure
Peace and Love
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