Assumptions, values and beliefs 2

As I wrote earlier, we live in a reality of assumptions I suggested you make a list of the assumptions you make about your personal life and journey. Then choose one of the fundamental assumptions and ask yourself what you would do if that assumption were to become invalid. This can happen more easily than you realize, usually for one of these reasons:

•  A new, previously unknown, a person comes into your life and completely changes your worldview. In industry, the music industry assumed people would always listen to music on CD’s or records. That assumption became invalid once digital music and online sharing became available. The press assumed people would always buy and read newspapers until the web made more news available less expensively to everyone everywhere. 
• A life-changing event, it could be the death of a spouse, a chronic illness, a fall that leads to hospitalization, the flu, a divorce. Any and or all of these changes can threaten your view of the world and challenge the assumptions you hold about your place in the world.
• Changes in legislation can damage and even destroy a society and our relationships. Canada and the US were once known for welcoming immigrants, but today in the United States, people seeking asylum are seen as dangerous criminals and our society is rejecting the idea that immigration is positive for our society. Neighbours, family and friends who have different views on immigration are no longer speaking. 

Look at the underlying assumptions of your life, choose one and ask yourself, what you would do if that assumption became invalid. Exercises such as these are useful not simply to have a contingency plan in case someone else does something to disrupt your life, but also as a means of coming up with a creative vision that might enable you to disrupt your worldview! After all, it is better to be in charge than the victim of change, is it not?

As you grew and took on more responsibilities in life, such as work, a life-partner, children, ageing, and mortgages to name some, it is easy to live a life that is controlled by assumptions rather than your true self. One of the most common assumptions people tend to make is that they need to earn as much income as possible for their families. As a result, we work long hours, bring work home, answer email at the dinner table and neglect the family in hopes of getting promotions and salary increase. 

When you retire this following could be your reality. Imagine your income is only half as much as have now.  How would you have to change your life to make that work? How much more could you do for your family in such a situation?

Very likely, your creative vision will be a lot more desirable than the creative vision that involves having a lot more money, a bigger house and a nicer car; none of which you can enjoy since you are working long hours to pay for all of them!

Boomers are divorcing at an alarming rate. Among U.S. adults ages 50 and older, the divorce rate has roughly doubled since the 1990s, according to a Pew Research Center report. If you have been in a long and comfortable relationship, you probably assume that your partner will stay with you forever. So, imagine the scenario in which your partner leaves you. Why might she (or he, of course) do that? What could you have done to make her want to stay with you? How could you have made the relationship better for her?

Needless-to-say, taking action on these ideas will only delight your partner, even if he/she has no intention of leaving you!