Beliefs divide. Principles unite.

Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.

~ Aristotle

Most of our core beliefs (about self-worth, safety, worthiness, etc.) are formed by the age of seven or eight, when we’re in a hypnotic state.

Children absorb beliefs from parents, caregivers, and authority figures through repeated exposure and emotional charge ("Money is the root of all evil," “Not good enough," "Don't trust strangers”). 

To develop a sense of belonging and to avoid rejection, we adopt the beliefs of our "tribe" (family, culture, religion, political group, friends). These beliefs are ingrained in our subconscious mind and become very difficult to change over time.

For countless reasons, including not feeling safe, it was tough to raise children during the pandemic. By creating fear and using shame to elicit compliance, division manifested.

Those of us who dared to question the experts had privileges taken away. It was a price I was willing to pay. Fortunately, our immediate family became even more cohesive during this time. Sadly, many families became more divided.

Having become a grandmother just over three years ago, I have played an active role in helping to shape healthy minds.

To unite and instil a sense of safety, I have some guiding principles to live by.

These include:

1. Prioritize meaningful relationships by making time for family and loved ones through consistent, intentional connection. Gradually, we have started to add friends to this list.

2. Practice gratitude daily by focusing on positive aspects of life. An attitude of gratitude is linked to greater happiness and a more positive outlook. 

3. Focus on self-care by maintaining healthy habits in sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management, which form the foundation for well-being.

4. Pursue continuous growth by committing to lifelong learning and seeking new experiences, skills, and knowledge. 

5. Adopt an optimistic mindset to persevere through setbacks, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. 

6. Practice generosity and kindness, even in small ways, as these actions contribute to personal fulfillment and strengthen community bonds. 

7. Recognize that failure is a necessary part of success and use it as a tool for learning and improvement.

Beliefs may give life meaning, but principles make civilized life together possible.