Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

If you grew up on the choir loft, as I did, you’ve heard this verse many many times.  I’ve memorized this verse as part of Bible study programs.  I I felt I had a pretty good handle on the message.   But, honestly, I didn’t have a clue.

We can actually be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our mind. 

Surprise, surprise, science is giving us ‘evidence’ that proves that truly we are what we think we are. We become what we think we believe we are capable of. Your brain actually changes and reacts differently based on the decisions you make about yourself.

Unfortunately, we all have ‘beliefs’ about ourselves that are holding us back from our best life.  Many of these beliefs have been baked in from early life experiences.  They might come from what ‘others’ told us or what we observed in our family and without evaluating those beliefs we just accepted them as truth.

When you make a new decision, rejecting your old belief, you begin to access and attract an entirely new set of ideas and thoughts.   Your brain does not know the difference between what you allow yourself to imagine and your reality.  To the brain… it’s one and the same.

The moment you make a new decision you give your brain ‘permission’ to begin experiencing the new decision which initiates the growth of new neurosynaptic connections.  The decision begins a visualization process that enrolls the brain to begin focusing your attention toward the object of your desired outcome.

I’ll give you an example….

Early in elementary school, the art teacher told me that I had no artistic ability!  Not kidding.. she actually said that.  And guess what, I believed her.  And as I grew up I would not only agree with that belief in my mind, I would frequently tell others…. I have no artistic ability.

As time went along I began to question that ‘fact’.  I think it started with cake decorating.  I loved it… I wasn’t great at it… but I was creative and it was fun.  Then I realized I loved graphic design especially computer generated graphics.  I learned about design principles, practiced, and loved my ‘artistic’ results.  Then I found I loved and had a knack for interior design.  And then photography grabbed my heart and I realized I had a good eye. I could take great ‘artistic’ photographs.

I remembered that teacher and her statement about me and I made a DECISION to reject that belief that I was not ‘artistic’.  I decided that I AM ARTISTIC.  Drawing might not be my gift, but I have many other ‘artistic’ talents.  My brain believed my new decision and I began to see things I would have ignored in the past. I saw more opportunities to use my talents.  I became more bold about sharing my art with others.  I ‘saw’ more and more information that helped me learn and develop my creative abilities.

In short… I was TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind.

We have a lot of limiting beliefs that we are not even aware of.  And we are not aware that these beliefs are holding us back from living our best lives.   How do we fix that?

Four steps to be transformed by the renewing of your mind:

1. First, you must recognize the beliefs that are limiting you.  When you feel you ‘can’t’ do something, or ‘shouldn’t’ do something you wish you could do STOP and ask yourself why you feel that way. What beliefs are holding you back? IDENTIFY THOSE BELIEFS.
2. MAKE A NEW DECISION.  Once you identify the limiting belief, make a new decision.  Talk to yourself..  Tell yourself that you CAN do whatever you have traditionally thought you could not or should not do.  State specifically… right out loud is good… what you now believe.    By the way, you don’t have to know HOW or WHEN… you just have to tell yourself you CAN.
3. ACT on your decisions.  Your brain will help you.  You will begin to see possibilities that you have overlooked because of your limiting beliefs.  Start doing, learning, growing into the life you want to live. Action is the best teacher.  The how and why will become clear as you step out in faith.
4. When those negative/limiting beliefs appear in your mind again and believe me they will PUSH BACK IMMEDIATELY.  NOPE… I don’t believe that anymore.  I’ve made a new DECISION about who I am and what I can do.  Over time that old limiting belief will be quiet permanently.  Your new decision will be your BELIEF about yourself.  And your BELIEF is your reality.

What are some beliefs that are holding you back from the life you want to live?  Do you believe you are not capable?  Do you believe you don’t have the talent you need?  Do you believe you ‘can’t’ or ‘shouldn’t’ do the things that will move you into what you desire in life?  It’s time to make some new decisions!