Our epiphanies reflect how we are all so very different and yet so very much the same.
That’s why I love that tonight, Oprah Winfrey and OWN are airing the first episode of a mini-series called BELIEF, a television series exploring faith and spirituality around the world that will air seven consecutive nights on OWN, from October 18 to 24, at 8 p.m. ET.
Like our epiphany stories, a program like this explores the aspect of humanity being made up of individuals who are incredibly unique with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, yet we all can relate to the truth and underlying meaning of any one person’s story, no matter who they are, what age they are, where they come from or what they believe.
What do you believe and why? Do you truly believe in yourself and in Life? What about the Life you’ve created and the people in it? To go deep and examine our own beliefs and why and how we’re going about consciously taking action on them is something that is imperative to living an authentic and fulfilling life.
Here are some exercises from my book to help explore and bolster BELIEF in your life. I encourage you to think about watching BELIEF on OWN this week or exploring other ways to go deeper in your examination of your own beliefs and what they mean and how they’re expressed in your life.
• We can strengthen belief in ourselves and the way life works for us. Become aware of the meanings/perceptions you are attributing to things. Are you slanted positively or negatively in interpreting happenings in life?
• Is there anything you would you like to have an epiphany about? Study/research/immerse yourself in those subjects—which might even be yourself. (Take some time for introspection.)
Self-belief is learnable. We can all develop and bolster our self-belief in numerous ways. Here are a few:
• Deal with the inner negative voice. Remember, that negative voice and talk wasn’t yours originally. Develop a practice of self-compassion. Act like your own best friend. (See Kristin Neff’s epiphany.) Do you catch yourself talking to yourself in ways that you would never speak to another person? What are some of the negative mantras you might be telling yourself?
• Reflect on your strengths and accomplishments. Also think about what your friends would consider to be your strengths. Write them down.
• Educate and immerse yourself in what you love and are drawn to. Seek out tools to help you develop your gifts and talents as well as help remove negative beliefs and blocks. These tools include books, classes, retreats, workshops, life coaches, therapists, religious and spiritual leaders/teachers, and groups you can join to develop your interests and receive support.
Have a beautiful week, dear readers and Don’t Stop Believin’!
Here’s a fun clip of Oprah talking to Stephen Colbert about BELIEF vs. FAITH.
