One would assume not. However, when we were young we may well have done, depending on our upbringing. We believed what we were told, what we read, films we watched and what our parents told us.
One of my favourite Christmas films is Miracle on 34th Street. I love the fact that the premise of the film is to establish whether the belief in Santa Claus is reasonable in a court of law.
Whether the characters in the film believe or not believe in Santa Claus doesn't make either true. As adults we consider the belief in Santa Claus as childish, and over time throughout our childhood, our belief changed.
So, when did this transition happen? When did we, or children we know, start having doubts about the reality of Santa Claus? Was it due to other references that didn't align, the reality of life or others telling us that it was not true? This may have caused embarrassment and insecurity of what we thought we knew.
The fictional character of Santa is a good representation of us changing our beliefs. Yet, for many of us, we still hold onto childhood beliefs that have held us back. If we have been through this process for a fictional character, what has prevented us in doing the same for our negative beliefs that we have taken from childhood into adulthood? Those negative comments made in a school report, or by a person we thought knew more than us at the time.
Our brain in childhood was still developing and we were not capable of processing the comments made to us in a rational way. We therefore took them as truth throughout our lives, without questionning them. Through adulthood we unconsciously, look for evidence that supports the belief (Confirmation Bias) that we were told. Even though evidence can be sought as the counter argument, we often choose to ignore these.
We can, however, use our adult developed brain to change any old limiting beliefs that we have held for years. We can create up to date beliefs that serve us, in achieving all that we desire in life. Belief is a perspective and not truth. Lets use our beliefs to our advantage.
Over the Christmas period, we will be exposed to many versions of Santa Claus through the media. We can use these imagery prompts to reflect on our own beliefs. As we do this, we begin the journey of self awareness, that can lead us to change our thinking into the New Year, which is an ideal time to start believing in ourselves.
Do you believe?!
Thanks as always for ready.
JennyB
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Thank you for your comment. Am so pleased it has got you thinking differently, major result!
Makes a lot of sense! Never thought of it in this context.