OPINIONATED? WHO ME? By SHELLEY STOCKWELL-NICHOLAS, PhD
OPINIONATED? WHO ME?
By SHELLEY STOCKWELL-NICHOLAS, PhD
Raise your hand if you know someone who’s opinionated?
If indecisive, raise your hand half way up…
Now let’s get personal: Are you opinionated about people who are opinionated?
Are you stubborn about what you KNOW?
Do you populate “facts” you hear with what you “know?”
If so, your opinions could cause blind spots. You, Dear Friend, are open to receive a lot when you set your mind to it.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EAR. Pre-existing notions influence your perception. You glean opinions from groups you belong to, ideas you inherit, and words you use. Of course, what you “know” provides meaning. The challenge comes when what you “know” conflicts with your true intention and core values and this can keep you in the dark about what YOU DON’T KNOW.
True believership is a roadblock that slams on brakes to learning and possibili-babies. Many opinions are simply hypnotized illusions brought to you in living color by the news, your family, advertisers and political public relation campaigns.
WAKING UP. The trick is to not fall so in love with your ideas that you miss other ideas. Talking to your brain helps you embrace enlightened ideas and objective evidence and reject crummy ones. Beliefs about what works and doesn’t must be backed with facts.
When you ask your brain to notice opinionated limits It keeps you more open-minded, objective and less fear based. A good place to start is to ask your brain; “Say’s who?” “Does this idea make common sense?” “Does this belief serve me well?” and “Why would someone propogate this notion in the first place?”
LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS! If you’re stressed, choose self talk that serves you best. As you ‘reflect’ upon the words you think and say, you get clear on your perception, intention and message.The language you choose and use reflects what you think and believe and literally creates your life. The next time someone asks you, “How are you”– pay attention to how you answer. Is that really what you want to convey to yourself and them? If not, change your words to what you really want!
COME AGAIN PETE AND REPEAT. Have you heard someone say the same phrase or words again and again? Have you done that yourself? Listen up. Words you speak–whether literal or metaphorical– cue your unconscious to actualize or manifest your requests.
Your unconscious takes self-talk and what you say aloud literally. Repetition–even in metaphors; even in song lyrics– keeps telling your unconscious, “This is what I want!” And your unconscious does its best to make it so.
JUST THE FACTS MAM. So how do you discern fact from opinion… or “imagination” from “reality” and objective from subjective? I only accept fresh ideas and concepts that let me In-Joy and Out-Joy! At least that is my opinion.
How about you? Tune in to your particular perception and answer this for yourself… What is the truth and does my opinion match it?
The Buddha said it well: “Everything you see is dust. Histories are written in dust. Civilizations are buried in dust. Whether it is gold dust, or sawdust, it will cloud thinking: so pay attention.”
Local Personality, Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD is a hypnotherapist, mindfulness and NLP trainer, artist and the author of 25 books. She certifies practitioners through the Hypnosis Federation. call 310 541-4844