One can imagine then how important it is to filtrate a child’s environment with as much positivity as possible to help a child develop a strong sense of self. We should teach children not to say negative things about themselves. They can be taught to say, “I like myself.” “I have skills and abilities to help be succeed.” “I am strong.” “I am loving and lovable.”
Limiting Beliefs
Self-limiting refers to something, either physical or mental, that a person creates and that limits him or her. Limiting beliefs are those beliefs that constrain us in some way. Just believing that we cannot achieve something, restricts us from achieving it. This is a powerful phenomenon. A statement so aptly stated by Gandhi theorizes,
We often become what we believe ourselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it.
It has been said that whatever one believes becomes their reality. Two persons who face very similar situations may face them quite differently because of the difference in their individual belief system and experiences. We may have beliefs about our abilities, duties, and obligations. These beliefs limit us in some way. Just by believing them they restrict us in some way.
Limiting beliefs could come from the things people said to us and about us while we grew up. They could also come from listening to negative people, watching/listening to negative TV and radio programs, reading negative books and magazines, and repeatedly hearing negative song lyrics.
Our thoughts and beliefs color our vision and perception of the world. Thoughts and beliefs determine our actions or inactions. Thoughts affect a person’s feelings that in turn affect one’s behavior.
The human belief system acts as a filter through which one sees the world. The beliefs about self, those around us, and the world at large, effect who we are and how we belief. Repetitive thoughts that humans harbor in their minds from as early as childhood form our limiting beliefs. As people continue to grow and mature their inner dialogue backs up their initial beliefs and actions.
Most self- limited beliefs are created during the developmental stages of childhood. As a result studies have proven that most people are a product of their environment. The family unit, teachers, friends, churches, and the community all effect how these relationships impact how the child interprets their world. If one is raised in home that is parented by adults who have negative limited beliefs themselves they too will develop self-limiting beliefs. The mind is like a sponge, eager to soak up as much information and knowledge. A self-limiting belief impedes progression toward success.
Case Study
Kelee was five years old when she began primary school. Her chocolate colored skin and kinky hair made her look different from the other nineteen kids in her class. She was friendly and full of giggles when she arrived in October, one month late for the start of school. For some reason the boy who sat behind her in class did not like her. He told her skin was dirty and he pulled her hair every chance he got. Kelee did not tell anyone. One day when she was walking home from school a group of three boys were walking behind her, they caught her up and teased her, called her unkind names, pushed her down and ran away laughing. Still Kelee told no one but from they day she knew believed she was ugly, she did not try to make friends and everyone said she was shy.