Release It or Embrace It?

Had the realization last week that there’s a limiting belief I’m holding on to.  I know, we’ve all got these limiting beliefs that hold us back.  What was frustrating for me last week, however, was the fact that I thought I’d dealt with this particular belief a long, long time ago.  I actually thought I had released it and moved on.  It would appear that what happened instead, is that I dealt with an aspect of it, and the belief itself stuck around to rear its head another time (last week, as it turns out).

Anyway, after my initial frustration, I got to thinking.  Did some exploring with trusted friends and colleagues, and connected with my own intuition as well through meditation and such.  As a result, I arrived at a new question to hold:  what if my attempts to release the limiting belief are actually working against me?  What if it’s not so much about releasing it, as it is about recognizing it and moving forard anyway?

In Rick Carson’s book Taming Your Gremlin (his term for that inner voice that keeps you stuck), Carson talks about first noticing the gremlin and then playing with options.  There’s no releasing that’s necessary.  In fact, it’s almost as though a sort of “embracing” is actually what needs to happen in order to move on with whatever it is that’s calling you.

Now, let me be clear.  This isn’t about giving  your limiting belief unnecessary power in your life.  Instead, I believe that it’s about recognizing the belief absolutely, and then moving past it.  Sort of like when you go for a walk or a run in the neighborhood; if there’s a vehicle blocking the sidewalk, you don’t waste energy or time trying to move the vehicle.  Instead you notice it and move past it in whatever way keeps you moving towards your ultimate objective.  The same principle applies to limiting beliefs.

So, I’m going to stop trying to release this particular belief.  I’ve named it and I know it’ll keep popping up.  When it does, I’ll acknowledge it again — just like that car blocking the sidewalk — and keep moving forward.  I really do think that’s the actual way to keep moving along.