It Is What It Is

Day 212

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

– Rob Siltanen

I made my list of universal limiting beliefs a few days before I found the media I was going to use along with each post. So, when I came across another Nike ad that not only illustrates what’s possible once you shatter today’s limiting belief, but it hit home because I can relate to it on a personal and cultural level, I was ecstatic.

We learn the social norms and traditions of our cultures and societies at an early age, and form subconscious beliefs about what is acceptable based on those observations without realizing it.

For some, they can be empowering. If you were surrounded by success and abundance, you form corresponding beliefs that certain things are always within your grasp, but for others, they can cause you to believe that you “should not” even dream about things that don’t fit with what is “expected” of you. You learn that “this is just the way it is, it was this way for my parents, and their parents…and so on.“

Women, in many cultures, for example may have formed a belief at a young age that they are not meant to focus on their dreams, but instead they are “supposed” to get married, have children and take care of their families. That’s a very traditional (and thankfully outdated) belief in Indian societies.

This belief that you are not “supposed to” comes out of guilt, obligation, and resistance to change – all feelings rooted in fear.You can recognize if you hold this belief by paying attention to your values – they give you a clue about what you believe is “acceptable”. Once you are aware of those beliefs, ask yourself if they serve you or hinder you. If they’re in your way, you know what to do…get tapping!

In the meantime, watch this awesome video of Indian women leaving this belief in the dust behind them as they realize their dreams.

It doesn’t matter what traditions you were born into, or what anyone else thinks is acceptable for you. You are the only one who gets to decide what you “should” do. It might sound crazy to someone else, but that’s ok.

Da Da Ding. Da Da Ding. Bada Boom. Bada Bing. Let’s go!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!