“Withdraw your faith in distortions and invest in only what is true.”—A Course in Miracles
Web MD and other “authorities” will tell you that you need eight hours of sleep, that there’s a disease called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that inflicts havoc every winter and that gaining weight is inevitable if you don’t rigorously watch what you eat.
But what if these beliefs are nothing but false ideas that we’ve made true by believing in them, by investing in them, by holding them as scientific fact?
If indeed consciousness provides the scaffolding for the physical world (and I, for one, happen to believe it does) then putting energy into any “belief” encrusts it into physical form. Quantum physicists can tell you “reality” is “curvy” or “straight” depending on what you expect.
Most of us can buy that we have some power over our own reality, but we don’t make the correlation that groupthink, those “facts” that our culture, our medical community, our media tout as true are also nothing but temporary forms of what we call “reality.”
One of the many things I love about my power posses (the groups I meet with on a regular basis) is that we share stories that defy “groupthink.” We share stories that the ancients might have called miracles. Hearing these stories opens my mind to accept a different reality.
Yesterday, Bettie told a story that shook me to the core. Being shaken to the core, by the way, is a good thing.
Bettie used to be a birthing assistant, what some might call a midwife. Giving birth, like most things, comes with a lot of “beliefs.” It’s painful. It takes hours. Pain meds and such things as epidurals are necessary and now days synonymous with the delivery room.
But one day, a new mom just going into labor informed Bettie, “I’m going to have this baby in less than 30 minutes.”
Bettie nodded and thought to herself, “O-kay! You obviously haven’t heard that first babies (and this WAS the young mom’s first baby) don’t usually pop out on demand.”
But this mom was insistent. “That’s how my mom did it and that’s how I’m going to do it.”
Bettie said there was some sitcom playing on the hospital room TV.
“And sure enough,” Bettie said, “that insistent mom gave birth before the credits rolled.”
I, who spent 17 hours in labor, loved this story. Why not take control over your body? Why not have a baby during an episode of “Friends?”
Another friend of mine from England told me giving birth to her daughter, Orca, was a spiritual, orgasmic experience? Why not?
Who’s to say what is and isn’t possible? Do we want to believe what the widely-expanding DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) tells us? Do we want to believe what pharmaceutical companies insist we need? Do we want to continue to believe that what happened yesterday is going to happen again today?
Or do we want to create a new day, a new reality, a new world?
In E-Squared, I told the story of yoga teacher Alan Finger who, when he was a teenager, lost 100 pounds in one month. It’s not the story we’re used to.
Many readers, in fact, had a hard time believing it. But it’s true. I called Alan Finger and I’ve talked to Katrina Repka who wrote the book that documented it.
And it’s as true as anything we continue to invest our thoughts and beliefs in.
If indeed consciousness is the clay, I hereby propose that we gather that Play-Doh back into a big ball and start all over.
What long-held “fact” are you willing to let go of? Or to at least consider that maybe, just maybe it’s not a “fact” but a flimsy belief.
Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and its equally-scintillating sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Magic and Miracles is your Full-Time Gig
68 Responses
Yes! Great reminder of what we can create! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Love it!
Me too! Thanks!
Thank you Pam for the reminder I need today
We all need reminders. That’s why we’re all here. Reminding each other of the grace and the glory! Cheers, my friend.
I let go of the belief that you must work hard to earn money. I have three different sources of income & they are all fun jobs! Thanks Pam for the reminder! You’re the best!
Thank you, never-say-no-to-fun Rhonda!
I am willing to let go of the thought that you have to work hard to make money.
And Rhonda … I didn’t even see your comment first! lol
Very inspiring. Thank you.
Wow girl, you are tuned into my Universe today..i have a big interview this morning with an agent in Belgium for a contract id very much like to have.
I now have my consciousness jet fuel for that adventure. Can i.make it happen? The Universe knows i can. And so it is.
Dr Di
And so it is! Love consciousness jet fuel!
Love it!
Hi Pam,
Love it !! Wow ..
Thanks, love you..
This left me feeling inspired enough to peck the rest of the way out of my shell!
I have always been a fan of eating whatever I want, whenever I want, and I hardly ever gain weight. My four food groups are sugar, salt, fat and caffeine. ;0) My annual physical is sterling, even though I have a family history of this, that, and the other thing. My take on the whole “eating thing” is that food is made up of molecules, and my body can rearrange those atoms into whatever it needs or wants at the moment. This mindset has worked for me for YEARS, and I don’t see why it won’t work for everybody.
Robyn, years ago I listened to some tapes by Deepak Chopra .He cited a university study raising rabbits on high cholesterol diets, and then dissecting them to study the progress of heart disease.
One group got the diet but didn’t have the disease, so they back-tracked and discovered the person put in charge of that particular lot had raised them like pets – instead of lab animals.
The conclusion was your body can make different metabolic “choices” based on your state of mind (aka: beliefs).
Always appreciative of your wise words, Dennis! Love that our bodies can make different metabolic choices than what we’re told is inevitable.
Thanks for the inspiration, Robyn! So glad that our bodies do rearrange our atoms according to our beliefs and according to our consciousness.
Yes! Thank you, Robyn. I agree. I always tell people that if I feel happy + believe that what I am eating will serve me, than it will. Of course I try to eat lots of commonly-believed-to-be-healthy foods, but I also love to treat myself to coffee and sweet treats. I just imagine that my joy transforms those treats into vitality for my cells. 🙂
Thanks, Pam! As a former “doula,” I, too, witnessed a laboring mom know exactly what her body needed! After a mom was told she was stuck at 6 centimeters and to prepare for a possible long labor, this mom told me she knew what she needed and that was to stand up and let gravity work it’s magic! She stood on the side of her bed for 2 or 3 contractions and asked for the nurse to come and check her again. The nurse laughed, saying there was “no way” she could have progressed much in the last few minutes, but she checked her, anyway. And…she was ready to push! It was time to welcome her little bundle of joy!
So fabulous that we’re figuring out that we get to decide–not the doctors, not the nurses, not anybody but ourselves. Thanks, Vicki!
Love your posts! My whole world ights up when I see another one in my inbox! Please keep them coming as and when your heart dictates!
So glad to hear it, Gabrielle. I figure people will read my posts if they have time and the inclination. No pressure. Just there for those who are interested.
Oooh, oooh birthing stories… with my second son when I went in for the weekly check up I told the doctor he was coming that next Saturday… the doctor said no, he wasn’t due for 3 more weeks and the doctor was going out of town, but he could induce the next week after he came back. I told him I would see him in his office with my son. He laughed. That next Saturday morning my water broke, I drove myself to the hospital, when the doctor on call checked me for dilation… I was only a 1 and said it would be a while… I told her no, I don’t think so as she started back out the door, and the nurse had to turn and get her for he was coming now… born 1 minute later. No drugs, no pain, just here, as I had known, that Saturday! I trusted my intuition… not the world’s views!! I have learned to tune into my bliss, my inner guidance and life is amazing!! I love both of your books and your blog… Keep it coming!! Thank you!
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Cat
What a beautiful story. I love it, thank you for sharing 🙂
Yay! Cat! For showing us how it can be done.
Yes, things like that can happen,….. but then; they don’t have to! What I want to stress here, is that it is a rather bad idea to think that all first mothers can do like that, if they only have the right intention. That could end rather scary!
Thanks, Yvonne, for pointing that out. The last thing any of us need is to make ourselves wrong or to compare ourselves to others. The important thing is to realize that our bodies are simply responding to our consciousness, much of which we picked up from others. But nobody, nobody should compare or judge or think they’re wrong for anything.
Wow..love this more and more every day. I have to meet you someday!
That would be awesome, Laura!
I love knowing (being reminded) that we get to decide what we want and when we want it. It’s time to let go of self limiting beliefs such as my body just won’t drop this weight no matter what. And I’m glad you mentioned Alan’s weight loss again – It’s been 18 months since I read your book, but have never stopped looking for 222, red monkeys, purple cars and opportunities to speak kindly to plants! (they are everywhere!!!) So much gratitude for you Pam, putting it out there in your words that express what so much of us already feel, yet don’t seem to find those words often enough. I’m a huge follower of yours – always will be…… The Health Warrior, Sherry
Thanks so much, Sherry! I have so much gratitude for each of you, as well. I love that we’re changing consciousness together. As someone once said, spirituality is a group activity. After all, we’re all one. Blessings, my friend.
I just recently “discovered” you. Read your book E-Cubed and am loving your posts! I’m over facts. Thanks!
Over facts–nicely said!
Love it Pam – encrusted. …, what a wonderful word to describe old mortal beliefs made manifested. You are a treasure!!!
Thanks! We’re all treasures.
Thank you Pam! I am letting go of the belief that stay at home mom’s can’t re-enter the workforce!
Of course, they can. 3000 probably did today. And, of course, it doesn’t matter if anyone else does or not. We’re each unique and can make our own decisions in that regard.
Ugh, so so many beliefs that are started and perpetuated by media and you see it happening and you just go, noooo, it’s not true, stop believing this crap people!! I saw an article that said they found out that not everyone can lose weight from exercising excessively so their conclusion was diet was the only way to do it. Another wrong belief added to our whacked out belief systems!
I’m so happy that we’re all waking up to Truth.
I have so many crazy memes in my head, and I’m always so grateful to see they’re just that–someone else’s beliefs. Sometimes, though, I do “believe” them, and have to then work at undoing that meme.
Thanks for the reminder!
Yes, those memes do sometimes raise their hands in the back of the classroom. As I like to say, my thought-producing machine sometimes malfunctions. Luckily, my heart never does.
Wow, so many “facts” I am ready to let go of. If not today, when? I love your posts, keep on writing. Changing our thoughts is like learning to ride a bike, we’ve got to get back up and keep on trying – until it becomes second nature.
Here’s to riding the bikes of the new consciousness of peace, love, joy and abundance for all.
I love reading your blog – always look forward to them. I have read your book and attended one of your live events also. Your blogs make the most impact in shaping up my thinking – because I love this regular “dose” 🙂
My birthing experience was also very spiritual – people call it painful – but I dont think of it as painful at all – it was the most natural – and “this is exactly what you have to do” message you get from nature.
Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thanks, Stuti!
Looove this post! I’m a midwife & what you wrote is exactly what I observe every day! Women often experience what they were told by their mothers, sisters and friends over and over again: “Giving birth is painful, takes hours and is dangerous” OR “giving birth is empowering, beautiful and natural”. It’s all about the beliefs they have about birth.
Greetings from Switzerland! 🙂
So glad to hear from Switzerland. And I adore your belief—“giving birth is empowering, beautiful and natural.” Amen!!!
Giving up the belief that a breakfast waitress ( who absolutely loves what she does, by the way) can’t make as much money as any other “professional”, i.e. accountant, dentist, etc… Heck, she probably brings a lot more joy to her guest’s day than the others do, so why not??
My birth story goes like this: I had a c-section. My midwife actually thought it necessary (which made me feel more confident that it was, as midwives work to avoid such things. And that meant a surgeon was going to be paid for my birth, rather than her). I had not wanted a c-section, or epidural, or any interventions like that. But in the end, I was thrilled with how things turned out. Since we both ended up fine and healthy, I found it to be a very cool experience. I love to tell that to expectant moms. If you have the right attitude (flexibility and going with the flow), it simply does not matter how the birth happens. Which happens to be true of most things in life.Choose to believe it’s all good, and as if by magic…it is all good.
This is a great big Eye-opener! I’ve never ascribed to the medical & pharmaceutical communities double talk but I have allowed “they say…” into my realm too many times.
This post reminds me of the girl in the wheelchair with a “heart condition” in the movie “Heidi” with Shirley Temple and Shirley convinced this girl she could walk and even run, that she was fine! And of course she did walk, run & play (against Dr’s orders). Thank you Pam for cleansing and clearing the way for us.
Thank you so much for your words. You are amazing.
Thanks. I’ve spent the last few days telling myself I have a cold I can’t shake off. You’ve reminded me that I have the power to change that. I needed that reminder. Thank you.
Great article, Pam. I grew up with a strong awareness of my “fat” genes and my mother telling us that we were “big boned.” I am a Law of Attraction coach now, and I am still releasing my beliefs about food and physical well-being. Thanks for putting this info out there…the sooner we can get this message across, the sooner we stop creating such beliefs in our children.
So go for the “Play-doh” analogy!! Thanks! Boy Is that true! Last year, I was “encouraged” into open heart surgery, being told by “my” new cardiologist, (Yep! I got to have one of my very own :), that I had at most, a miserable two-three years before suffering a major heart attack, or stroke that would surely kill me. Well, I had triple by-pass, and a new aeoric valve, all very sucessful. But I had a stroke in ICU anyway, took out my right leg and hip, arm and shoulder. I was supposed to be in a wheel chair for 6 mos, then hopefully, a walker from then on…Well, detirmined to thrive, (I had no insurance and no money to have Rehab), I got a second hand recumbent bike and began to ride for my life! My diet has much improved, I am losing weight, recovering from my diabetic body that had failed me some 20 years ago. After a full year I am walking at least a 1/4 mi. daily, use a cane for curbs and getting in and out of my jeep, I drive, and shop… I’ve dubed the shopping cart at Kroger “my walker”. My doc calls me his Miracle patient! I’m tossing my handicapped tag!
I call it rewritting my script.Your posts have been invaluable to me as encouragement, because, due to living on an isolated rural farm in the south, with very few outlets or friends, I have needed it. I considere 20 years I now have as a bonus given by my repaired heart, to enjoy my life more, give back as I can to the wonderful universe that granted me these bucket list years.
Love to prove the medical field wrong!! A few years ago I had a routine mammogram, they said they saw “something” that needed surgery to be removed. I never gave into THEIR beliefs. “Nope, not interested thank you, I remember thinking.” I told them It wouldn’t be there when they looked again.
Well, I was wrong about that part. They did get to see it “disappear from the screen!!” As the doctor, nurses, assistants etc. stood around in amazement gasping and saying to each other, “Oh MY God, did you see that? It’s GONE now, it was Just there, now it’s gone! How did that happen?” I just quietly got dressed and walked out, taking my smile and healthy breast with me!
I have Multiple Sclerosis, and can attest to many strange symptoms. One day, after reading E-squared, my feet were swelling fast, and they were pulsing in pain. I had done everything I was supposed to, and finally I looked at them, breathed in a deep breath, and said “stop swelling.” They have never done it again. Now I am working on my sciatica pain, and the pain from bone-on-bone vertebraes at L4-5.
Little by little I am healing and working through – thank you for helping me re-member myself.
Dear Pam:
I read your wonderful messages from start to finish. Having only read E-Squared (my daughter’s read Squared and Cubed), I just started practicing being grateful for every small thing everyday, beginning with when I first wake, Thank you for another day.
Recently I have been having trouble making my bills and asked the FP to help me find a way to correct this situation. Out of the blue I got a thought to ask for a forbearance on my student loans which are a huge portion of my monthly outlay. I did it, forgot about it and this morning in my email it had been granted. So now I have a year to get this more in order. Thank you FP, and the energy of gratefulness.
Pam Turner
Sent from Windows Mail
Wow! I did this, waaaay before I knew about LOA or creating your own reality. I was scared stupid during my pregnancy by other women’s nightmare delivery stories. And how they screamed + cried. So I decided one night, that I was NOT going to be in labour for multiple hours/days nor make a racket! …………So I asked my mom how long she took to deliver me + she said 8 hours. So I thought perfect, I can handle that, it’s only one day + sure enough, I was only in labour for 8 hours (Quietly), then delivered my gorgeous girl! Of course, who knew I could have done the 1/2 hour thing! LOL
So…what are “facts”? When people disparage that this or that as not “scientific” I remind them that not very long ago, it was a scientific “fact” that the atom is the smallest unit of matter…our science is limited by the sophistication of our technology: the fact that something can’t be proved scientifically doesn’t mean it isn’t true…
Once again, spot on! Thank you!
Hi Pam
I’ve only just read this post of yours. Thanks for sharing it.
Just wanted to say something about giving up long held beliefs as fact: Through participating in a friend’s self love webinar over a period of several weeks, I got to see a lot about how we hold on to various personal, cultural, national and international beliefs, and have a lot of them be fact. I examined my own, and saw the power they have over me, over my life, and my body. For most of my life, since I was 11, I have had it that I am fat and overweight (yes, both!), and as a result I have dieted for most of my life. From giving up cultural, personal, national and international beliefs about dieting, and giving up the whole dieting thinking, I have lost 14Kg in weight over a 6 month period, WITHOUT dieting! I didn’t ‘watch’ what I ate. I didn’t give a second thought about having a second helping. Basically, I ate what I wanted to eat, when I wanted to eat. Some may call it intuitive eating. When I wanted ‘unhealthy’ food I would have it. When I wanted cream with my cake, I would have it. You get the picture.
What I have further noticed is how these beliefs can easily creep in… time to re-examine them and give them up again…
Thanks for your sharing!
Jen