September/October 2007 Spirituality
Making Your Life Happen: Change Your Belief System

by Jan Engels-Smith

Jan Engels-Smith

For any desire to be realized by you, or before anything can manifest in your life experience, there must be vibrational compatibility between your desires and your beliefs, which is the basis of the popular DVD The Secret.

Many people think that they understand the concepts behind manifestation and then become frustrated because their life isn't changing in the way they would like. They say their affirmations, they create their dream board, but they don't take a look at what they really believe about their worth or their ability to deserve.

All of our beliefs are broadcast from our chakras, which create much of our auric fields of energy. This broadcast then attracts to it situations in your life that match your belief system, which is also known as the law of attraction. You are creating your life from your beliefs and you can't change your life or manifest what you really want until you change some of what you believe.

What most people don't realize is that beliefs are choices - nothing more. You can actually change your broadcast by simply deciding to believe differently.

All of your actions are rooted in your belief system. Although most of your beliefs were formed as a child, you still have a choice whether to follow them. If you do not like what you believe, you can change it. As an adult, you have full control of your beliefs. To change, however, you must take a long, scrutinizing look at your particular belief structure and understand why it exists and if you want to continue embracing it.

When you examine your beliefs, look for the strong messages you received as a child and others that you developed as an adult. You may not yet realize that these strong messages usually constitute a major portion of your core belief structure and hold an incredible amount of power. Write these beliefs or messages down on paper in a list form. Keep the sentences short for easy reading. Again, you are searching for the core or foundation of a belief, not the philosophy behind it.

After you have completed your list, write down what you would rather believe. This is the time to be creative and to use your imagination to construct a list that is ideal. Create a belief system that will support you, love yo, and work for you, not against you.

The following is a composite of the common belief statements I hear from my clients. Remember, for any desire to be realized by you or before anything can manifest in your life experience, there must be vibrational compatibility between your desires and your beliefs.

Desire: I want more money.

Incompatible belief: I am so tired of not being able to afford the things that I want to do.

New belief: I am so glad that each and everyday I am able to afford more things. My life is continually improving.

Desire: I want a better relationship with my employer.

Incompatible belief: My boss doesn't realize the value that I offer, and he is just a grouch.

New belief: I feel good about the work I do, regardless if anyone notices it. I do quality work.

Desire :I want to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. I want to lose weight.

Incompatible belief: It is really difficult, almost impossible to maintain the body weight that I desire without strenuous exercise and depriving myself of the foods I like to eat.

New belief: It is possible for me to find a comfortable lifestyle that will give me the results that I want.

As you review your list and discern the nature of your current belief system, remember that it represents choice. If it does not reflect what you desire, discard it. Let your imagination go and create a new belief system. Then read your list over again. Engage yourself in the envisioning of living your new belief system.

This is the first step in the process of bringing a new belief system into reality. In the beginning, it may feel uncomfortable. But if you can imagine the possibility, you are already on your way to creating it.

Jan Engels-Smith is the founder of LightSong School of Shamanic Studies. She promotes self-healing, empowerment, better communities, a healthy world and conducts workshops in shamanism and journeying. Her book, Becoming Yourself: The Journey from Head to Heart, is available at www.janengelssmith.com.