You’re Hopeless

We all have ways of thinking and responding. They are conditioned by input we have received. Let me illustrate with the following simple example. I may have been told by my father (and indeed I was) that I would not amount to anything. One comment does not necessarily turn into a stronghold of thought but it may. However if that thought is added to from another sources then the connected thoughts in our head strengthens its hold on us. Add my father’ s comment to those of a woodwork teacher telling me, “You’re useless kid.” Another significant person in my life telling me “You’re hopeless.” these three now become connected and strengthen each other. A stronghold is now building where each criticism adds to the last. All are acting together to convince me of my inability, my looks, my intelligence etc. This is the concept of a stronghold. It translates into a world view or a set of habits that frame who I am. Before long I begin to believe the words. I can become what I am told I am, the way I think about myself influences my perception of my gifts and abilities or lack thereof. It becomes the way we act out of compulsion.