Can you imagine how some individuals must have reacted when new evidence from scientists and philosophers began to emerge suggesting that the earth was round; not flat as had been believed for thousands of years. After all, the belief that the Earth was flat was almost universal until about the 4th century BC. Promoters of this new idea were labeled heretics and insane. And it’s understandable how people “felt.” This was going to literally rock their world. Try and remember your last time standing on the beach looking out toward the horizon where sea meets sky. It gives the false illusion that that the earth is flat. When I look out as far as the eye can see in any direction, it really “feels” like the earth is flat. Now think about the societal and religious pressures during the 4th century to remain faithful to the reigning flat earth beliefs . But the evidence clearly began to show that the earth is round. I can feel like it’s flat all I want, the fact is, the earth is spherical.
Many people who have developed a framework of thinking since early childhood hold onto beliefs, feelings, and ways of thinking regardless of the evidence to the contrary. This faulty framework of thinking is also reinforced at times when events and appearances (standing on the shore and looking out at the horizon) seem to validate our “self-talk.” I recently talked with a client who had been physically abused by his father beginning at around age 3. It’s a long familiar story, and you’ve probably heard it all before. Years of abuse, neglect, and rejection led him to develop a survival personality marked by emotional distance, addictions, mistrust and suspicion of ALL people. No one should be trusted, everyone is out to get me, I’m a loser, I’m stupid, I’m a failure and I’m never going to accomplish anything. The paradox is, even in light of his extreme negative self talk, this client has a masters degree and has several attributes and gifts to be proud of. Yes he is clinically depressed, displays some paranoia,and has trouble establishing emotional intimacy and relationships. If he can practice telling himself “the earth is round” even though all of his life he’s been taught and believed “the earth is flat” he’s going to experience emotional and spiritiual healing. His own personal history provides evidence that says he can establish intimacy, he can set a goal and reach it, he’s not stupid but actually has a very high IQ. I’m currently working with him to re-frame his thinking and tell himself the truth. The truth is, it feels like the earth is flat sometimes, but the fact is, its round.
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