How to Change your Perception of Normal By Sydney Dinsmore
"If you don't stop crying I'll give you something to cry about!" How many of us heard that one? As a child I only understood that I was actually crying for a reason but I certainly didn't want anything else to cry about. Were my parents doing the best they could with what they learned as children? Have I ever used this line on my children? Probably, but it didn't seem right when it fell out of my mouth. As we grow up whether our parents know it or not our beliefs are being formed. Not just the beliefs of what our parents are teaching us but also from people we are surrounded by. We learn all about religion, customs, politics, social status and our values. These are paradigms that we form and believe to be our comfort zone. If anyone enters into our comfort zone that doesn't have the same beliefs we do, we tend to somehow fear them. If they don't share our fundamental values we prefer not to be around them. We want to surround ourselves with people who have the same beliefs we do so we feel comfortable and inspired by them. But, maybe the beliefs we have as a foundation for raising our children could use a revamping. We are doing the best we can with what we learned from our parents, just as our parents did the best they could. But I'd like to propose that we can do better for our children. The way we were raised may seem to be normal to us. But have you ever noticed that sometimes you sound just like your parents? However you aren't sure that's the right way to deal with a situation and you don't feel you have the tools to make the change. The only way we can use new tools is if we figure out that it's okay to question some of the beliefs we were raised with.
Begin to understand that maybe we can make a difference in the world by giving our children a better way to raise their children. Our beliefs control our behavior. We need to first realize the problem before we can use tools to correct our behavior. I mean if you take your car to a mechanic and they just throw in a new carburetor without knowing what the problem really is, then they've wasted your money and your car still doesn't work. So in this way, before we start using new tools, we need to take a close look at what we see as normal and be willing to change. Today, I'm going to take a close look at how I behave around my family, friends, and business to see if I could use some new tools to better form the comfort zone I'm truly looking for. Am I cultivating and environment of love, respect, freedom and self-control? Or am I being manipulative and controlling? Let's do what we can to help our children have the tools they need to raise their children better than we were raised. But first we need to be willing to see that perhaps our fundamental values could use a little change. Are you brave enough to do that? If you are an entrepreneur or thinking about becoming an owner of your life, give yourself permission to change for the better and others will want to follow you. Best wishes to you in your self-exploration.— About the Author Sydney is a successful writer and entrepreneur. She and her husband Glen enjoy being in nature, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. In their spare time, they both enjoy working from home.
GetRuralLeaderMag.com | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2015 19