The beliefs that I want to unlearn
Is there a part of you that you wish that I should have not known this or that? There are a lot of existing beliefs we grew up with and sometimes they are not helping at all. Like, they are contradicting your very own belief and thus, making your life harder. We Filipinos have multiple superstitious beliefs, religious beliefs, and political beliefs. How can we balance the beliefs and reality? I am so curious today how I sorted the beliefs that I need to hold from what I need to let go.
As a boy who grew up on a farm, basically most of my family has beliefs about supernatural beings hiding and living in trees, ground, or even ants' nests. One thing I have shared before was when my uncle was believed to be possessed by a Kapre (giant creature). That's weird and unbelievable. Yet, this family of mine always believes that they are hovering and watching us from the dark where they are living. Supervising the plants and unseen power of the barrier.
The moment I started to write this blog, I was actually thinking what I am regretting to believe as a child and as a young adult. It is because we have carried the beliefs since we were young. It was passed down generation to generation. There are beliefs that actually came from the ancient times and up to date, we still believe in them. They say believing doesn't cost us anything. But I said, believing costs us innocence and distortion of reality. I can say that it was so true.
First on my list is what we call Santa Claus. Each Christmas, children are so excited to receive gifts from their parents, relatives and godparents. But, others are not. They believe that Santa Claus will give them presents at night when they are asleep. Well, as a young boy, my curiosity was heightened whenever I see Santa on the movies. So, what I did was to get one of my newest and longest pair of socks. Then I hanged it outside of our home. You know, I am so hooked up with this fantasy and I woke up in the morning without even a money or presents. He fooled me! That is why from then on, I told myself that I will never ever believe in the same thing again.
Second of all, the belief that I should sleep in the afternoon or else I would not grow up. This is one of the most hateful beliefs I had until now. You know, my mother will always insisting me to take a shower in the afternoon and few minutes later. She would command me to sleep or else I would not grow. Then as a child, I believe my mother because I want to grow up. I want to have big muscles, strong bones and long legs. Sometimes, if I really don't want to sleep, she would scare me that she would not give me a snacks at 4pm. Goodness! Here I am, a poor soul, listening to his mother well. Trying hard to sleep until I really became asleep.
Third in this beliefs that I want to unlearn is when you kiss a girl, she would be instantly get pregnant. The heck is that? Is this even an unacceptable belief? I guess so, because I myself was fooled of this belief. Actually, there is a belief that follows it. If you touch the girl, she would be pregnant them you have to marry her. I don't know where this is coming from, but I tell you it's insane. Like, how a girl be pregnant without man's liquid or something? How I wish I didn't know this belief because we are living in the 21st century. Others are believing this deceitful and unreal belief.
Our generation was blessed with thousands of high-quality and high technological devices that even before was not dreaming to happen. Back then, internet is truly an unbelievable concept. A concept that was bashed and criticized by many. But look at now, internet is the one who changes everything we believe. It's possible to see each other from afar. We can track where is our family through GPS. We can learn news from other countries without going in their country. We can communicate with people around the world in fast and real-time. Now, are you telling me that Santa Claus exists? Alight, I'm off. *laugh*
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Thank you for reading. I'll you see you next time!
Every kid in the past believed very much in Santa clause being real at one point, but we can't say the same for a lot of kids these days who are already very familiar with technology and can tell if something like Santa is real or not 😆