The Freethinker 1-1-1: What I chose to believe at 13
Are your beliefs serving you—and are they even yours beliefs?
Take a deep breath.
Here is 1 creation, 1 quote, and 1 question to consider this week
1 Creation From Me
“What I chose to believe at 13” — a true story
Standing there, in front of just about everyone I knew at the ripe age of thirteen, I became a man.
That’s according to Jewish law.
Almost immediately, after I sent the final “Thanks for coming to my Bar Mitzvah” card, I became the antithesis of Jewish law…
An atheist.
Every authority figure in my life had been saying, “Congrats, Mike! You’re a man now.”
So, I decided, as a man, that it was time to make my own decisions.
I didn’t need to continue believing something today that I had believed yesterday.
And, wow, that felt like freedom.
These days, I continue to make new decisions all the time—and all because of that profound realization I had at thirteen: WE GET TO CHOOSE OUR BELIEFS.
The beliefs I hold now come from nature—not the news.
…they come from presence—not projections.
…and they come from the dreams—not the dread.
My 13-year-old self knew an eternal truth that I honor today:
I cannot serve others if I don’t stay connected to what I’m serving. Therefore, I must choose my own truths—and choose them wisely.
1 Quote From Another
American author and speaker Wayne Dyer on filling your own cup first:
“You can't give away what you don't have.”
Source: YouTube
1 Question For You
How do you stay connected to the feelings you’d like to share with the world—despite the feelings the world seems to be sharing with you?
If this resonated, pass it along to someone who might need it today. Let’s grow this circle!
Until next time, freethinkers…stay present, be pleasant, and have an amazing day!
Mike Messeroff
Founder of The Carpe Diem Company + Personal Freedom Coach
Creator of Self-Hospitality
Author of Dogs Get It: Advice I learned from my best friend
I like to think about feelings, experiences, etc. as food on a plate. I load up mine based on what I can digest. Sometimes I notice others trying to slap dollops of food onto my plate. I say "No thank you. I have enough." Some might plop something onto my plate when I'm not looking. When I notice it, I say to myself, "I don't have to eat that. I'm gonna leave it there." At other times I aggressively defend the boundaries of that plate by blocking it off with my arm. No doubt there. Love this question!
I like your question at the end. Want to know more about that “switch” you made at 13 to atheist so radically.