I like this maxim because it reminds me to consider what I think or believe; because, my thoughts shape my outcome. If I think negatively, my mind will naturally attract destructive results. I have seen that happen to me and my coaching clients. If I persist to believe that my past controls my future--my destiny—then the consequence will be just that--no opportunity, no chance to reach my potential. I will remain in a vacuum fashioned by the abyss of my own thoughts and beliefs.
If I allow other people to tell me who I am and what I am capable of, then I am giving others permission to make choices for me. For example, when
I was a child, I had undiagnosed dyslexia. My reading was adequate but my comprehension poor. I had difficulty grasping certain concepts, especially mathematical formulas. Instead of helping me understand what I needed to do to improve, I was told I was “slow” and there was no way I could go to college. I began to see myself as a failure. School and studying was synonymous with defeat. Physically, I became ill suffering from stomach aches and migraines. Mentally, I felt unworthy, unlovable, and lacked a healthy self-image. I truly believed that I would never amount to
anything.
Until one day…one day, for some reason, I became angry. I was angry with the stories about myself that were not written by me! I decided to
stop believing “what was between my ears” ~those stories leading to defeat and destruction. So, I didn’t learn like other kids in my class; but there were things I could learn. I would focus on the skills and talents I had. I would learn to express them even though I was scared to death. My new story between my ears brought me confidence, creativity, resiliency, and a wisdom that I did not have to believe past experiences or tales. I was in charge of my fate.
Stories are wonderful. As the author, you have the power to write
the middle and the end as long as you believe“It's What's Between Your Ears That Counts” and you take ACTION to do something about your beliefs.