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Our lives are shaped by the core beliefs that we hold. When we have decided that something is true, we tend to make all further decisions without questioning that truth. We find evidence to support our truths through experience. Our core beliefs are something that we are comfortable with and rarely question.

In many cases beliefs are not the ultimate truth. Instead, core beliefs are often values that we have chosen to uphold. Our life experience can be affected by our beliefs without us even noticing. Knowing that beliefs shape our experiences, it seems wise to examine them. While some beliefs may serve us well, other beliefs limit our choices and progress. Examining your core beliefs and altering those that hold you back can assist in your transformation.

Many of the core beliefs that influence our lives are operating at a subconscious level. Beliefs can be so strong and internalized that we unknowingly apply them as truths to all of our decisions. For example, our core belief in the existence of gravity plays a direct factor in all our decisions about physical movement. What we believe we can and cannot do is limited by our acceptance of gravity as an unchangeable element of our existence.

While many of our beliefs can be proved through empirical evidence, other beliefs have been influenced by perception. What we believe influences what we look at, how we feel and what we choose to remember. Studies about memory have shown that people will describe a couch in a living room even when there was no couch present. We often remember seeing what we expect to see.

The key to shifting core beliefs is to become aware of your subconscious activities. As you look deeper into yourself and begin to understand why you are who you are, there may be elements that you decide to change. If a core belief does not serve you or moves you towards negative vibration, it may be time to question that belief. What you accept as the final answer is always your choice; the key step is bringing your core beliefs into your conscious mind and then making decisions.

Once you have identified a core belief that you wish to change, the next step is to understand what supports the belief. Where did you learn it? Sometimes our beliefs have been passed to us by people we love, or from another respected source. Sometimes beliefs can be passed from generation to generation. When you first accepted a belief, did it come from direct experience or from another source?

It is important to realize that beliefs are personal. When understanding your beliefs, ask if the belief is true for everyone. In many cases the answer will be no. For example, you may believe that it will rain tomorrow, while someone else believes the sky will be clear. The basis of these contrasting beliefs may be intuitional or factual. However, until tomorrow arrives the belief cannot be proven. Prior to the event, both beliefs can be supported.

Do you think that you deserve to be healthy? Make a statement out loud, ‘I deserve to be healthy and happy’. How does it feel when you say it? Can you repeat the statement with confidence? Do you believe the statement to be true?

Your response to the above question is an indicator of your current beliefs about yourself. If you cannot make the statement with full conviction and without doubt, your first area of focus has been revealed. You cannot heal until you believe that it is your right to heal. Whatever your current condition or anticipated path, improvements can occur today.

Belief systems can often be identified through the words that we use. We reveal our perceptions and focus by what we choose to speak about. We are often judgmental in our statements, expressing opinions through one or two words. If you ask different people ‘What is it like outside’ you will likely get different answers. ‘Beautiful’, ‘Horrible’, ‘Hot’, and ‘Nice’ could all be true, with each word defining more about the speaker than the weather.

Usually there are pairings within your mind that emphasize a belief or assume universal truth. The use of paired words strengthens beliefs, supporting your truth. If you alter the pairings, you can alter the perceptions that influence beliefs. Through conscious effort we can change how external stimuli affect our behavior and emotions.

Our beliefs are often confirmed by the words that we use. For example, the statement ‘The full moon influences me’ can be perceived as empirical fact. In contrast, the statement ‘The full moon bothers me’ contains personal choice. We may not be able to avoid being influenced by the moon, but we have great power over whether it bothers us or not.

A core belief that influences many is the use of the term ‘migraine sufferer’. To say that you are affected by migraines is empirical observation. To say that you suffer from migraines is a choice of perception. As the Dalai Lama points out, pain is inevitable but misery is choice. The act of suffering is an emotional choice that is within your power to change.

The words ‘migraine’ and ‘sufferer’ have been paired within the English language. There is implied belief that if migraines are experienced, suffering always occurs. Along with acceptance of suffering comes a proscribed attitude for rational behavior. If you are suffering, there must be a reason. If you are suffering, you must be at fault. If you are suffering, you are forced to endure the pain.

There is a difference between pain and suffering. Pain is physical, involving an activation of signals within the body to indicate that something is wrong. Suffering is mental, a reaction to conditions that are unpleasant; an emotional and psychological anguish that that may be stimulated by internal and external factors. When someone suffers from migraines, there is a helpless feeling that pain attacks are unpreventable and must simply be endured.

In order to shift consciousness, look at the roots of your beliefs. The first element of suffering is helplessness. If I am such a good person, why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this? What am I being punished for? There is a martyr element to all suffering, since we feel that we are doing our best to get through life and should not have to deal with this pain. We endure the pain because of our strength of character. We gain strength to battle the pain by recognizing our inner goodness and our right to survive. We understand the saying ‘That which does not kill us makes us stronger’.

However, as discussed in all previous posts, we are not helpless. We have the ability to directly influence the frequency and intensity of migraines and headaches. There are many little elements that contribute to your headaches. By identifying elements that stand out, you begin to influence the outcome. As you recognize and bring to the surface each segment of the headache cycle, you realize elements that are within your control. By changing these elements, you become empowered.

Throughout our lives many beliefs have been self-fulfilling prophecies, continuously being proven through expectations and perceptions. Expectations are defined by how you describe yourself. When I realized that describing myself as a ‘migraine sufferer’ was defining my reality, I decided to change. I do not suffer from anything anymore. Of course I have challenges in my life, but I choose to progress through each day with hope and anticipation. When I was asked if I suffered from migraines, my response was ‘No, I deal with migraines’.

So what phrase do we use to describe people who experience migraines? I would suggest that you never use the phrase ‘migraine sufferer’ again. If you do, you are defining your experience before it even happens. The new word ‘migraineur’ seems a little more elegant but carries the same implications. The real question is why do you need a group classification to identify yourself as a person who experiences migraines?

When changing core beliefs, you are in control. Ultimately, each individual decides what to accept as personal truth. Empowerment occurs through raising awareness. By raising limiting beliefs from the unconscious to the conscious mind, you give yourself the ability to choose. If a different belief serves you better, you can consciously shift your thoughts and behavior. Eventually, progressive beliefs become habitual and move back into the unconscious.

Transformational Exercises

Look in the mirror and say ‘I deserve to be healthy and happy’.

Write down on a paper ‘I have influence over my health and my happiness’.

Make a list of things you could do to improve your current health experience.

Make a list of all the things in life that make you happy.

Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles