When I moved into my first apartment, I bought was a simple piece of wall art with the phrase “More Green Lights” printed across it. I was drawn to those words, though I didn’t fully understand why. At the time, I saw it as a call for optimism, a reminder to look for moments of ease and progress. I remember thinking, Yes! That’s the feeling. It felt like permission to pursue a sense of flow and alignment I had been seeking.

Today, as I write this on the 11/11 portal—a day known for alignment and manifesting new beginnings—I can see how those words encapsulate my journey of tuning in, aligning with my truth by tapping into what brings me the excited feeling of forward momentum and noticing what keeps bringing me roadblocks of frustration.

In the quiet moments, I’ve often wondered why certain emotions come and go so easily while others feel like anchors. Feelings may seem fleeting or random, yet each one has roots deep within—a belief. Realizing this has led me down a path of exploring the architecture of my emotions and how my beliefs shape my entire reality. By examining these beliefs, we each have the opportunity to understand our emotional landscape and transform the experiences we create, reshaping our lives from the inside out.

“More Green Lights” has become a philosophy of paying attention to signs and synchronicities that encourage movement. Green lights, in this sense, aren’t just about optimism; they’re about noticing life’s cues that guide us to our next step. This journey of following my own “green lights” has taught me to recognize what feels aligned—and to question the beliefs that sometimes act as red lights I unconsciously obey. Matthew McConaughey’s recent best-seller, Greenlights, delves into the same concept of recognizing life’s signals—moments he terms “greenlights”—that indicate when to move forward.

How Beliefs Are Formed: The Influence of Our Environment

Beliefs don’t form in isolation. From the moment we’re born, we’re immersed in an environment filled with expectations, norms, and values that shape how we view ourselves and the world. Our earliest beliefs often come from family. Parents and caregivers model beliefs about strength, vulnerability, success, and failure through words, actions, and even silent expectations. As children, we accept these beliefs without question, interpreting them as truths.

As we grow, this foundation expands through teachers, peers, and cultural messages, reinforcing additional “truths” about how we should live and who we should become. Some beliefs provide stability, but others can act as barriers. For instance, a person raised in an environment that discourages risk may believe that “it’s safer not to try,” limiting their choices later in life. Recognizing that many of our beliefs are inherited opens the door to reevaluation. We can question which beliefs support us and which we’re ready to release.

Lessons from Realignment

In my journey, I’ve discovered that when I stray too far from my True North, life has a not-so-subtle way of course-correcting through “hard knocks.” Yet, with each humbling redirection, I am grateful for the lessons and the opportunity to sharpen my intuition. Muscle memory builds, reminding me that discomfort lingers only as long as I allow it. This process has taught me to trust my inner truth, especially now, as uncharted territory has become my designated course.

Relying on past beliefs no longer serves me; they begin to fall away like a snake shedding in to grow into a new cycle. These synchronicities, these “green lights,” have become signs that an “upgrade” is available, urging me to keep moving. So, I invite you to reflect: What patterns and signals help you identify when a new cycle begins? Think about times when you heeded the “green lights” and times when you ignored them.

On this 11/11 portal—a day known for alignment and manifesting new beginnings—take stock of how you can align with the next version of yourself, ready—and perhaps waiting—to emerge.

Feelings Follow Beliefs

Consider this: every feeling you experience is anchored in a belief. This realization transformed how I see emotions. I saw my emotions as reactions to external events for a long time. But as I looked closer, I noticed each feeling was tied to a deeper belief—about myself, others, or the world. Tracing an emotion back to its source belief allowed me to see that I had a choice: to reinforce that belief or to challenge and change it. Asking questions like, Is this feeling serving me, or could I adopt something more expansive? It opened up new possibilities and a sense of liberation.

The Self-Sustaining Cycle of Beliefs and Experiences

Beliefs are powerful because they shape our experiences, and in turn, those experiences reinforce our beliefs. This creates a self-sustaining loop where beliefs and reality confirm each other. But if we step back, we see that this cycle isn’t fixed. We can shift it by choosing beliefs that align with our values and aspirations.

When I began asking myself, Why am I choosing to feel this way? I saw my emotions as choices—strategies to help me move from one point to another. They became missing puzzle pieces rather than something to be consumed by. Recognizing my agency in shaping my emotional experience allowed me to disrupt old patterns and create space for more fulfilling perspectives. My analytical mind rejoiced at this logical approach to emotion; this shift was liberating, reframing my worldview and offering me new ways to interpret my reality.

The Paradox of Holding Onto Limiting Beliefs

It’s a curious paradox that we sometimes cling to beliefs we know are limiting, beliefs we say we’d rather not have. Often, it’s because these beliefs provide a familiar kind of safety. In its attempt to protect us, the ego holds onto what is known, even if it’s not what’s best.

For example, a belief like “I’m not good enough” may seem inherently harmful, yet it can offer a type of refuge—a justification to avoid risks that could lead to failure or disappointment. I carried similar beliefs for years but eventually realized they held me back. By asking, How is it serving me to cling to a belief that I’m showing up resistant to? I began dismantling the illusion of safety, allowing myself to adopt empowering beliefs.

The Power of Validating Your Present Self

I spent years comparing myself to where I thought I “should” be, each comparison leaving me feeling inadequate. It was like I was tearing down the bridge to my future. Over time, I realized that genuine growth comes from embracing the present self, not rejecting it. When I began to validate my current self without judgment, I felt more connected to my life’s journey. Rather than viewing my growth through labels of “good” or “bad,” I saw it as my unique path, which I embrace.

Healing as a Practice of Daily Vigilance

The most straightforward lessons can be the hardest to put into practice. I’ve heard it said that healing requires daily attention, to the point that it sounded like a platitude. But when I approached healing as a daily commitment rather than a one-time goal, I discovered its transformative power. True healing takes a kind of vigilance—a willingness to check in with ourselves regularly and examine our beliefs and emotions. By approaching each day with curiosity, I can better release beliefs and feelings that no longer serve me.

Habit vs. Choice: Becoming the Creator of My Reality

Many of our actions are habitual, so ingrained that we no longer see them as choices. They run on autopilot, shaping our reality unconsciously. But the moment we recognize these habits, we reclaim them as choices. Life becomes a blank slate, a creative field where we can redefine our experiences.

A Course in Miracles suggests, “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.” If meaning is something we assign, we are each the co-creators of our reality, free to create a life reflecting our inner truth.

Examining and redefining beliefs is one of our most authentic paths. Recognizing that our beliefs shape our reality frees us from past conditioning, empowering us to create a life aligned with our highest values. Each choice to adopt a new belief to shift our perspective establishes a reality that feels both grounded and expansive. “More Green Lights” is a reminder to honor those signs of alignment, to connect with the next version of ourselves, and to embrace the possibilities that unfold when we live fully attuned to our potential.

Just as important are the red lights—the resistance that asks us to pause, reflect, and perhaps reassess. Instead of dismissing or resisting these moments of pushback, we can see them as opportunities to steer clear of a crash course, refining our path with gratitude and awareness.

Considering the power of alignment and choice, A Course in Miracles reminds us that you are entirely up to you. The question is: at what speed will you choose to embrace it?