I am 72 years old. I do not feel like an “old woman,” In fact, I don’t really feel physically any different than I did as a young person. When I look in the mirror, I’m actually surprised at what I see – me with a few wrinkles and the same smile, not 20 or 30 or even 40, but mature and ripened and beautiful in my own way.

I’ve learned a lot in 72 years, and continue to grow and expand, so nothing that I write is definite. I believe that is why I remain so young in heart and mind. I am curious about life. I intend to keep learning. These points below are the ways I’ve learned (through experience) to live my life.  They are the values and beliefs I have acquired and continue to cultivate, weeding and pruning or nurturing as necessary. I am a scientist of life. I test my beliefs against what occurs in my experiences. The truth of the belief lies in being able to prove it in every situation. These are just ten of my beliefs. Remember, they are my beliefs. You must find your own beliefs and test them out for yourself.

1. This is the most important belief I have: There is no outside being called “God.” Instead, God is who I am and who you are. I can’t prove this to you, because it is a belief and a feeling. I have done and continue to do the inner work necessary to live this Principle; and every day, my belief gets stronger and stronger. The most productive work I do to strengthen this knowing is meditation.
2. Our brains can be rewired. It’s the principle of neuroplasticity:”the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury.” In other words, if a belief doesn’t serve my highest good, I can change what I have believed by meditating, re-affirming another belief, and doing what I call Spiritual Mind Treatment. Then I must put that belief into action. Repetition…repetition…repetition…
3. I can forgive and it is the most powerful thing I can do for my healing process. I can forgive anything by letteing go of the emotional attachment to the experience. Forgiveness is not trying to forget what happened. It is releasing its emotional hold on me. It’s a decision to do so that begins the process of forgiveness.
4. I have a form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment, which is just affirming what I know to be true. It is a movement of energy, and it definitely changes the information in the quantum field. When I do a Spiritual Mind Treatment, what I am treating about changes in the outside world. I believe it changes the The part of the brain primarily responsible for filtering information to match your existing beliefs. It’s called the “Reticular Activating System (RAS) — a network of neurons located in the brainstem.” The Law of Attraction is a simple understanding of this scientific truth. What we look for or observe shows up. It we think the world is hostile, for example, hostility shows up. Really, we run the show. The world is to us what we believe it to be. Spiritual Mind Treatment changes our beliefs.
5. Self-Love is the most powerful healing balm. It is the basis of all loving relationships. I do not attract what I want. I attract what I become. As I am more loving and forgiving toward myself, I attract love back to myself.
6. It is possible to have a loving intimate partnership or marriage that works. I’ve been married twice: once to the father of my children and the second time to my soul mate Patrick Feren. What I have learned about both is that before embarking into a loving intimate relationship, you should know who you are and what you want from life. In healthy relationships, people have space to grow as individuals, and it enhances their relationship. People don’t own each other. They journey together to assist each other in spiritual, mental, and emotional growth.
7. I believe in perfect health. It’s possible to be healthy even when you do not feel well. Health is an attitude. It’s about knowing that your innate being is geared toward healing. I always think of how a cut heals from the inside out. We do the same.
8. Once we raise our children, we should leave them alone to experience their own journey. We can be great examples and offer guidance, but trying to mold our children into what we think they should become is restricting them. My family of birth tried to hold on to me and instill their beliefs upon me. Fortunately, I broke away. Because of that, I’ve had challenges, but I’ve learned how to solve those challenges, gather strength, and grow and develop my own beliefs.
9. My true friends know me. What’s the point of being with someone with whom you cannot be yourself – pimples and all. My friends don’t try to fix me. They are just there for me. I am there for them.
10. Whenever I’m frustrated, angry or sad, I create something. I might write something or sing or paint or cook, but creativity always heals what ails me. I believe it is because creativity is our true nature. When we are feeling stuck it releases us into that true nature.  We remember who we are.

So, these are ten of the beliefs that I have cultivated and nurtured and tested. There are more, but this is enough for now. Why are beliefs important? Because you are your beliefs and everything you experience in life will be met with your beliefs. You view the world from your belief system. All mystics, teachers – present and past – have said it in a different way: It is done unto you as you believe..

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author, Co-Founding Spiritual Director CSL Kaua’i