Community: Belief that changed
Each week, we gather our community’s wisdom. This week, we asked:
What's something you used to believe but have since changed your mind about?
"I used to believe that my Filipino immigrant dad was only proud of me when I did well in school, or at work. This made me not as proud of my creative gifts, which tend to be less performative. Through years of therapy & prayer, sitting with my feelings, and a pivotal grief ceremony, I started to see my father in a new lens: the man who raised me on Shel Silverstein poetry. Who got his hands dirty building class-winning creative experiments with me. Who taught me to ask bigger questions, and bemused at my sharp wit; my fanciful imagination. During COVID, afraid of losing him, I finally told him that I needed him to TELL me that he’s proud. He now tells me nearly every week, so sweetly — not because of how well I’m doing. But just because, I’m his. I’m learning that the stories we tell ourselves, OF those around us — and even of ourselves — might not be the whole truth. And boy, am I glad that my belief was wrong."
"I used to believe that the only way to achieve my goals was to do it alone. But I have since found that collaboration with other like minded people, not only shortens the learning curve but also, create things greater than what I ever imagined in the beginning."
"That everything was black or white; right or wrong. But life doesn’t work in absolutes and what might be one thing today could change tomorrow."
“That cynicism and edginess were just personality traits; there’s always processed pain underneath.”
“I thought that others were constantly judging; now I know they might be admiring.”
“That mistakes weaken me.”
“That work is more important and fulfilling than your connections to others. It’s not.”
“That ending a certain relationship would kill me. Now I’m a different person and I’m thankful that t happened.”
“That you have to have everything all sorted out.”
“That I have to please people or else I will lose them.”
“I thought I didn’t need help and had to do it all on my own. Now I ask for help and support.”
“That I wasn’t worthy of caring for myself.”
“That being single meant being lonely. It’s actually lovely.”
“That I don’t matter.”
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