Saturday, November 17, 2007

Uncovering Your Shadow Beliefs

Oprah.com

A "Shadow Belief" is an unconscious belief that influences our entire lives, tells us what we can and can not do, and drives our behaviors. Life coaches Debbie Ford and Cheryl Richardson have helped thousands of people uncover their shadow beliefs...including Oprah!

Shadow beliefs are what hold you back in life—and you may not even have known they were doing it!

According to Cheryl Richardson, some of your shadow beliefs are preventing you from getting what you want in life. Most people know they have these beliefs, but are taught to hide them because we are ashamed and embarrassed. But you can overcome them and live your best life! There's nobody in the world smarter about you than you! Do you believe any of the following statements?
  • There is something wrong with me.
  • I cannot trust anyone.
  • I'm not lovable.
  • I don't deserve to have what I want.
  • Love does not last.
  • I am worthless.
  • I am never going to be successful.
If you've checked off any of the previous statements, you have shadow beliefs that need your attention. Uncover your shadow beliefs!


Three Steps to Uncover Your Shadow Beliefs

Life coach Debbie Ford says that we can all find what is holding us back in life. Start with these three steps and simple exercises. Debbie says, "To go deeper, you have to be radically honest with yourself. All of your emotions are there to guide you."

Step One: Get in touch with your pain and emotions. "You can't heal if you can't feel," says Debbie.

Step Two: Once you're feeling that pain or emotion, try and connect it to your past to uncover where that pattern of pain began.

Step Three: Embark on a healing ritual that will help you surrender that pain and anger once and for all.


Exercises to Uncover Your Shadow Beliefs

Shadow beliefs cause us to make the same mistakes over and over again. Try these simple exercises for uncovering these beliefs.

Exercise One
For one week, whenever you find yourself overreacting to another person's behavior, ask yourself: What traits in that person are you trying to disown in yourself?

Exercise Two
Also, make a list of the advice you give others and ask yourself if the advice is appropriate for your life. Cheryl Richardson often says, "We often teach what we need to learn."

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