We all have beliefs developed through our lives because of the experiences we have had and the thoughts we have been exposed to. Some of our beliefs help us become the best we can be and contribute to society. But others limit what we can create and who we are. As new information becomes available, any limiting belief can be changed with thought and effort. Here are six limiting beliefs many people accept as accurate, which are not. These are things we should NOT participate in.

Believing you can profit from hurting another.

There are many examples of people and companies who may have driven profits by participating in activities that harm others in the short or long term. Believing you can profit from hurting other people is an invitation to lose your money and your soul. Life has a way of rewarding our behavior just as we deserve. Even if you profit in the short term, it will all come to nothing. To go through life and cause no harm is the life I desire. Making a profit needs to include the human element. If you are causing damage to others, your earnings will be short-lived, and your enjoyment non-existent.

Worrying About Things, You Can’t Change.

You can control things in life and things you can’t. That is a fact of life. To spend time in a state of agitation over things you can’t control is a senseless waste of time. Being wise enough to know precisely what items are on that list is also essential. Worry is a waste of time anyway. Looking at what might go wrong and playing out all the negative scenarios in your mind, which are most likely never to occur, is a misuse of your valuable imagination. You will deal with your challenges as they come. Plan as best you can, and then let the chips fall where they may. Have concern over the things you can control because they will define your life. Where you work, who you love, where you live, who you spend time with, what you spend your time doing, all of these can be controlled. Worrying about the things you can’t change is a mistake in life.

Insist that something is impossible just because you can’t do it.

In life, the neigh sayers discourage all types of people and endeavors. These are the people who claim with certainty that someone else

is crazy for trying something new or different. They believe something can’t be done a certain way because they can’t do it that way or, worse yet, just never thought of things that way. Are you one of these people? Be an encourager, not a negative person in life. Encourage others to try to do the impossible rather than to be a needle in the balloon of someone’s hope. If all you have is negativity, keep it to yourself and live in your limiting bubble allowing birds to fly free. For it is in the freedom of life that true beauty and talent exist.

I am holding fast to trivial pride, preference, and prejudice.

We are inundated with beliefs when we are young, and most of them stick with us unchallenged throughout our lives. There is no good reason to hold onto an idea about others that is wrong. Each of us has the power to support, be kind, and give. These things will be stunted by pride, preference, and prejudice. Accept people and things that are different from you and allow them to be who they are, and you will find a better version of yourself behind this. Holding fast to these things makes for a negative, sad, and fearful life. That is a choice we all must make. Let go of these things and grow as a person.

People Stop Learning

People stop learning exactly when they choose to. But to me, education is a lifelong experience, especially today. We have access to information at the touch of a button. We can learn about anything from needlepoint to quantum physics by going to Youtube and watching a video about it. People should never stop learning because learning is growing, and growing is living. Without growth, there is only stagnation and death. Knowledge keeps the brain functioning and working at a high level, and as your mind expands, the wiser you get and the more you can contribute to the world. Learning is one of the most important things you can do every day. Learn one new thing a day, your life will be fuller, and your wisdom will eventually be great.

You are trying to compel others to believe and live as you do.

There are over 7 billion people in the world. Each has a right to practice the religion they want, follow the career they are interested in, and the personal life they choose. Too many needless conflicts have arisen in our history because someone wants to dictate how they should live in the world. It is impossible in the long run but unnecessary in any life. Suppose you find peace and comfort in your religion, then good for you. It doesn’t mean it will resonate with me or anyone else. It is none of your business what my relationship with a higher power might be. That is my choice, and I will not expect or compel you to think the same. This goes for all people in all choices they make in their lives. You live, who you love, or what you choose to wear is your option and an expression of who you are, not me. I would no more expect you to change than I would expect myself to change to make you happy.

If you see yourself in some of these things, think about where you are and why you feel the way you do. If you live your life in the judgment of others because of their lifestyle, ethnicity, religion, or beliefs about life, consider making some changes and bringing more peace and happiness to the world.