What are your beliefs? How were they formed? Did you choose them, or were they pushed on you by parents or siblings? Our beliefs determine much of how we structure and color our world. Without our knowledge, they may be perceived and picked up by others , filtered through what society has largely dictated as acceptable, and pushed back in your face as how they see you viewing yourself and your world, and may actually be far removed from how you really are.
Beliefs are about power and choice. We choose to agree with certain societal acknowledgements about what is important and valid and what is not. In western society, life is seen as something that happens to us, much of which is beyond our control, with no causal agent other than some type of divine "plan"; life happens outside of individual choices.. Other societies may see life as composed of varying contributions individuals make as part of a larger scheme or plan, following an intuitive knowing or feeling; life happens inside of individual choices. Both ways of viewing life are based in beliefs formed by societal dictates and customs. Individual choices provide but a small voice to influence a particular societal belief or tenet. Beliefs commonly exist outside of the choices we make concerning our place in society if we view ourselves as having little influence. Do you see yourself as having an influential opinion with which to create a ripple of change? If not, why not? What causes you to believe your expression is not important? Is his due to the fact that others appear to carry a stronger opinion? How do you know your voice isn't as strong or stronger? What caused you to believe this about yourself?
When we change what we believe about others, it provides a space for us to see ourselves more clearly. We validate what we believe about ourselves by how we perceive others and their beliefs regarding personal power. In american society, power is usually associated with position and status, which mainly are granted by abilities possessed by the wealthy and influential. The common people, those without status or influence, see themselves as mostly powerless and unheeded. Positions in government and business are filled by people who possess charisma and personality, as opposed to wisdom and sagacity. We believe wealth and influence are the hallmarks of individuals capable of leadership.
Where do collective societal beliefs stem from? If a society is influenced to believe certain things about itself, could a ruling class find it much easier to control? Where is the individual in all of this? Imperceptibly and incredulously nonexistent due to a denial of self awareness. Society is comprised of people with no individuality, no expression of personal influence. The cause of this has been a slow disintegration of basic beliefs about who we are and our place in the world. Personal and collective beliefs have been what has structured our world. If we fear what we believe in will not affect change in our world, then it will not.
Comments
This is the world we live in.... Monkey world as marianinia says, do what i do, don't think , just follow me.... Beliefs? Opinions? Majority of people are afraid to speak their mind, they just are complacent in a situation as it is, like they don't have a choice or the power to change... i will tell you a little story... a friend of mine saw one day a man beating his dog... very bad...she wanted to interfere but when she approached a little more, she saw that man better, he was a big Judge of our town, a public figure... so she got scared because of that and walked away! Fear is ruling the society we live in...how beautiful would be our life without fear...it's our fault cause we let it control us
You do unknowingly place your beliefs on other people. If this were not the case, the world would not be in the shape it is in. I was merely suggesting to look at what you believe and why, being discerning as to what you've picked up from others and what is yours alone. Most people follow trends and fashions that nobody but the elite invented, most people are not aware of this, not due to ignorance, but see others doing something and follow along. The wealthy and influential care nothing about you, only their image and bank account, prideful as hell, plain and simple. Usually people don't see this until it is too late, and they've lost a bit of themselves due to their own failure at looking within and asking for something real. We must learn to be individuals. Everything you see in society, just about everything, comes from the military-industrial complex and their agenda to DESTROY america, and create a larger and more disastrous entity. Look at your country and know that it was gone at least 5 years ago.