“If you accept a limiting belief, then it will become a truth for you.” ―Louise Hay

I remember years ago while teaching a workshop, I posed this question. “What would you do if you were guaranteed not to fail?”

I expected all hands to go up immediately, so I was surprised when only a couple of people replied. The rest of the group looked puzzled and a little embarrassed. That’s when I realized something. In their hearts and souls, these students knew exactly what they wanted. It was their heads that were holding them back – preventing them from being able to articulate their deepest desires.

I decided to try an experiment. I asked everyone to share something that they wished they could change about themselves. Hands shot up. No one had any trouble answering that question:

“I wish I wasn’t so awkward around people.”

“I’m terrible with money.”

“I’m not capable of getting a good job.”

“I need to lose weight.”

“I want to write a book, but who would read it?”

“Everyone I’ve ever loved has let me down.”

Sadly, it was a lot easier for most of the group to share their insecurities and perceived flaws than to share their dreams and goals.

That night, we all missed dinner! I had work to do – nothing was more important than helping these students break through their limiting beliefs.

I led the group through a meditation to release negative feelings and old hurt and trauma that they had been pushing down. When we were finished, the air in the room felt lighter and the energy had shifted.

Now we were ready to get to work. One after another, faces started lighting up, as students revealed their goals, talents, and the light they wanted to share with the world. They left the room inspired, ready to take the next step in their journey with confidence and self-love.

I’m sharing this experience illustrate how a gifted, enlightened group can be held back by their own negative ideas about themselves. In the case of my students, these beliefs were so firmly entrenched that they served as a heavy cloud cover obscuring the truth – which is limitless potential.

If you let them, your limiting words and thoughts can block you from even being able to see  or imagine your soul’s purpose – much less make it happen.

But here’s the reality. You have a pot of gold that’s within reach. Happiness, success, abundance, love – they’re all yours for the taking. All you have to do is reach through that “cloud cover” consisting of all the things you believe about yourself. Push right through all the unkind words you’ve taken to heart. Blow away the criticisms from teachers, parents, bosses, ex-husbands that have been clinging to.

Your words and thoughts have so much power, so be mindful of what you think and say. Make a decision right now to honor the unique, divine being that you are by taking the advice of Louise Hay. Look in the mirror, smile at yourself and say, “I love you!”