Dennis Waitley tells a story about a football player who was hypnotized and told that an 8 ounce paper weight weighed 500 pounds. He was asked to pick it up. He strained but couldn’t. Measurement devices showed he was pulling up with enough strength to lift a 400 pound barbell off the floor, but his triceps were pushing down with greater force. His mind kept him in line with his belief about his strength.

We are influenced greatly over the course of a life. Might we also be hypnotized? How often do you find yourself arguing against yourself, or against a friend trying to convince you that you can do something that you know is impossible?

I’ll believe it when I see it. Not likely. Often, when people are shown irrefutable evidence that invalidates their belief they will deny the evidence and hold fast to their belief.

You know the truth. Venture out in the greater world and you cannot help but encounter conflicting truths. These are the boundaries we dare not cross. They are the load-bearing beams that keep our roof from caving in upon us, that shelter us from the wind and the rain.

Every wall serves two purposes, to keep that on one side in and that on the other side out. You could knock the wall down. But you won’t if you believe it’s the only thing keeping you safe. Safety is comfort. That’s important to you, isn’t it. Stability. Balance. The status quo.